Heart Failure Laboratory: Experience in a University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Most of the management of patients with heart failure (HF) is accomplished on an outpatient basis. Adherence to the recommended treatment standards and access to the health system determine their evolution. We describe our experience with patients with ambulatory HF in a University Hospital.
Material and Methods: Patients referred for inter-consultation to the HF Laboratory between the months of January 2021 and October 2022 were included. A structured intervention was carried out, which included face-to-face visits and follow-up by email and/or telephone and nutritional advice.
Results: 98 patients were included. The mean age was 64.05 years. The total mean LVEF was 36.26%. A significant association was observed between those over 60 years of age (n = 65; 66.33%) and dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, oncological disease, and coronary disease, compared to younger individuals. The low LVEF was correlated with coronary and oncological disease. In them was observed greater use of beta-blockers, ARNI, iSGLT2, and acetylsalicylic acid. Male sex, decreased LVEF and age were predictors of a worse prognosis.
Conclusion: The use of pharmacological treatment in HF depends on multiple factors. Despite this, a distribution of the established therapy according to the guideline recommendation and national registries and hospitalizations of patients with HF was observed.