title: Inequalities in the Access to Advanced Therapy in Heart Failure.
abstract: At present, heart failure (HF) is a worldwide problem, characterized by a high morbidity and mortality. In industrialized countries or regions, such as the United States, Canada, and western European countries, HF has a prevalence of 1.5% to 2.7%. Chile represents a growing economy in Latin America; however, the relatively high cost of more advanced therapies, in addition to other variables (ie, adequate and timely evaluation by HF specialists), makes access difficult for patients with HF. In this article, the authors review the principal difficulties in accessing advanced HF therapies in Chile, as a model of developing country.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, P Universidad Católica de Chile, Hospital Clínico UC, 367 Marcoleta St. 8th floor, Santiago 8330024, Chile. Electronic address: dgreig@puc.cl.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greig
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, P Universidad Católica de Chile, Hospital Clínico UC, 367 Marcoleta St. 8th floor, Santiago 8330024, Chile.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Olivares
mesh_terms: D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Advanced heart failure; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Heart transplant; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Mechanical cardiac support