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Vanneste A, Barbier L, Missotten R, Desmet T, Droogné W, Michelsen S, Sinnaeve P, Adriaenssens T, Huys I, Janssens R. Heart failure patients' perspectives on treatment outcomes and unmet medical needs: A qualitative preference study. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38856019 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Decision-makers still predominantly focus on the perspective of non-patient stakeholders, which may deviate from the unique perspective of heart failure (HF) patients. To enhance patient-centred decision-making, there is a need for more patient-based evidence derived directly from the patients themselves. Hence, this study aimed to understand (i) HF patients' unmet medical needs and preferred treatment outcomes; (ii) patients' risk tolerance; and (iii) their information needs, uncertainties and satisfaction towards HF treatment. METHODS This qualitative patient preference study consisted of a literature review with a systematic search strategy and semi-structured interviews with HF patients, analysed using the framework method. During the interviews, patients were asked to rank a predefined list of disease and treatment-related characteristics informed by the literature review and were able to spontaneously raise additional characteristics. RESULTS The study included 14 Belgian HF patients (age range: 58-79, mean age: 72). (i) Regarding their unmet medical needs, HF patients reported that the most important unmet medical needs were shortness of breath and fatigue, as they negatively impact their quality of life (QoL) and independence. In the ranking exercise, patients prioritized improvements in QoL over improvements in life expectancy, whereby the following characteristics received the highest cumulative score: (1) independence, (2) shortness of breath, (3) impaired renal function, (4) survival, (5) fatigue, (6) risk of hospitalization and (7) communication with and between physicians. Patients most often spontaneously raise characteristics related to the general care process. Mechanism of action, route of administration, dose frequency and weight fluctuations scored among the least important characteristics. (ii) Regarding patients' risk tolerance towards HF treatment, some of the patients expressed zero tolerance for side effects, as they had not yet experienced any discomfort caused by the treatment or disease. (iii) Regarding their information needs, patients voiced their desire to receive practical and comprehensible advice orally from their physician because they highly value individualized treatment decision-making. Patients also expressed uncertainties regarding whether the experienced effects were due to their treatment, disease, ageing or other comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that, besides increasing life expectancy, HF patients prioritize improvements in symptoms and side effects reducing their QoL and independence, such as shortness of breath and fatigue. The patient-relevant characteristics identified in this study, from the perspective of HF patients themselves, may be useful to inform clinical trial endpoint selection and guide downstream drug development, evaluation and clinical decision-making towards addressing the unmet medical needs and treatment outcomes of importance to HF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vanneste
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liese Barbier
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ramses Missotten
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Desmet
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Healthcare Management Centre, Vlerick Business School, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Walter Droogné
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Peter Sinnaeve
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Adriaenssens
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Huys
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rosanne Janssens
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Zhang Z, Wang C, Tu T, Lin Q, Zhou J, Huang Y, Wu K, Zhang Z, Zuo W, Liu N, Xiao Y, Liu Q. Advancing Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Heart Failure: Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Benefits. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2024; 24:329-342. [PMID: 38568400 PMCID: PMC11093832 DOI: 10.1007/s40256-024-00646-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
The delayed titration of guideline-directed drug therapy (GDMT) is a complex event influenced by multiple factors that often result in poor prognosis for patients with heart failure (HF). Individualized adjustments in GDMT titration may be necessary based on patient characteristics, and every clinician is responsible for promptly initiating GDMT and titrating it appropriately within the patient's tolerance range. This review examines the current challenges in GDMT implementation and scrutinizes titration considerations within distinct subsets of HF patients, with the overarching goal of enhancing the adoption and effectiveness of GDMT. The authors also underscore the significance of establishing a novel management strategy that integrates cardiologists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and patients as a unified team that can contribute to the improved promotion and implementation of GDMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Cancan Wang
- Department of Metabolic Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Tu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuzhen Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiabao Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunying Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Keke Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeying Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanyun Zuo
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichao Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiming Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha, 410011, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Thompson JS. GDMT Optimization, But Make It Patient-Centered: Understanding Patient Needs During Heart Failure Medication Discussions. Circ Heart Fail 2024; 17:e011653. [PMID: 38581404 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.124.011653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn S Thompson
- Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
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Swat SA, Helmkamp LJ, Tietbohl C, Thompson JS, Fitzgerald M, McIlvennan CK, Harger G, Ho PM, Ahmad FS, Ahmad T, Buttrick P, Allen LA. Clinical Inertia Among Outpatients With Heart Failure: Application of Treatment Nonintensification Taxonomy to EPIC-HF Trial. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2023; 11:1579-1591. [PMID: 37589610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contribution of clinical inertia to suboptimal guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES This study examined reasons for GDMT nonintensification and characterized clinical inertia. METHODS In this secondary analysis of EPIC-HF (Electronically Delivered, Patient-Activation Tool for Intensification of Medications for Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction), a randomized clinical trial evaluating a patient-activation tool on GDMT utilization, we performed a sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study. Reasons for nonintensification among 4 medication classes were assigned according to an expanded published taxonomy using structured chart reviews. Audio transcripts of clinic encounters were analyzed to further characterize nonintensification reasons. Integration occurred during the interpretation phase. RESULTS Among 292 HFrEF patients who completed a cardiology visit, 185 (63.4%) experienced no treatment intensification, of whom 90 (48.6%) had at least 1 opportunity for intensification of a medication class with no documented contraindication or barriers (ie, clinical inertia). Nonintensification reasons varied by medication class, and included heightened risk of adverse effects (range 18.2%-31.6%), patient nonadherence (range 0.8%-1.1%), patient preferences and beliefs (range 0.6%-0.9%), comanagement with other providers (range 4.6%-5.6%), prioritization of other issues (range 15.6%-31.8%), multiple categories (range 16.5%-22.7%), and clinical inertia (range 22.7%-31.6%). A qualitative analysis of 32 clinic audio recordings demonstrated common characteristics of clinical inertia: 1) clinician review of medication regimens without education or intensification discussions; 2) patient stability as justification for nonintensification; and 3) shorter encounters for nonintensification vs intensification. CONCLUSIONS In this comprehensive study exploring HFrEF prescribing, clinical inertia is a main contributor to nonintensification within an updated taxonomy classification for suboptimal GDMT prescribing. This approach should help target strategies overcoming GDMT underuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley A Swat
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura J Helmkamp
- Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Caroline Tietbohl
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jocelyn S Thompson
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Monica Fitzgerald
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Colleen K McIlvennan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Geoffrey Harger
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - P Michael Ho
- Rocky Mountain VA Regional Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Faraz S Ahmad
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tariq Ahmad
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter Buttrick
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Larry A Allen
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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MacDonald BJ, Virani SA, Zieroth S, Turgeon R. Heart Failure Management in 2023: A Pharmacotherapy- and Lifestyle-Focused Comparison of Current International Guidelines. CJC Open 2023; 5:629-640. [PMID: 37720183 PMCID: PMC10502425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This review examines the pharmacotherapy and lifestyle recommendations of the most recent iterations of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) / Canadian Heart Failure Society (CHFS), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and the American Heart Association (AHA) / American College of Cardiology (ACC) / Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) heart failure (HF) guidelines, which all have been updated in response to therapeutic developments across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction. Identified areas of unanimity across these guidelines include the following: recommending quadruple therapy for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; although no guideline proposed an ideal sequence of initiation); intravenous iron administration for patients with HFrEF and iron deficiency; and sodium restriction for patients with HF. Recent evidence regarding the harms of HFrEF medication withdrawal in patients with HF with improved ejection fraction has prompted subsequent guidelines to recommend against withdrawal. Due to the lower quality of evidence, there are disagreements regarding management of HF with preserved ejection fraction and uncertainty regarding management of HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction. Practical guidance is provided to clinicians navigating these challenging areas. In addition to these clinically focused comparisons, we describe opportunities for guideline improvement and harmonization. Specifically, these include opportunities regarding HFrEF sequencing, the need for timely updates, shared decision-making, Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework adoption, and the creation of recommendations where high-quality evidence is lacking. Although these guidelines have broad agreement, key areas of controversy remain that may be addressed by emerging evidence and changes in guideline methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean A. Virani
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Ricky Turgeon
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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MacDonald BJ, Barry AR, Turgeon RD. Decisional Needs and Patient Treatment Preferences for Heart Failure Medications: A Scoping Review. CJC Open 2023; 5:136-147. [PMID: 36880079 PMCID: PMC9984897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pharmacologic management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) involves several medications. Decision aids informed by patient decisional needs and treatment preferences could assist in making HFrEF medication choices; however, these are largely unknown. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), without language restriction, for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies that included patients with HFrEF or clinicians providing HFrEF care, and reported data on decisional needs or treatment preferences applicable to HFrEF medications. We classified decisional needs using a modified version of the Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF). Results From 3996 records, we included 16 reports describing 13 studies (n = 854). No study explicitly assessed ODSF decisional needs; however, 11 studies reported ODSF-classifiable data. Patients commonly reported having inadequate knowledge or information, and difficult decisional roles. No study systematically assessed treatment preferences, but 6 studies reported on attribute preferences. Reducing mortality and improving symptoms frequently were ranked as being important, whereas cost importance rankings varied, and adverse events generally were ranked as being less important. Conclusion This scoping review identified key decisional needs regarding HFrEF medications, notably inadequate knowledge or information, and difficult decisional roles, which can readily be addressed by decision aids. Future studies should systematically explore the full scope of ODSF-based decisional needs in patients with HFrEF, along with relative preferences among treatment attributes to further inform development of individualized decision aids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair J. MacDonald
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arden R. Barry
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ricky D. Turgeon
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Bhatt AS, Vaduganathan M, Ibrahim NE. Personalizing Comprehensive Disease-Modifying Therapy: Obstacles and Opportunities. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2022; 10:85-88. [PMID: 35115091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ankeet S Bhatt
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Muthiah Vaduganathan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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