Low utilization of beta blockers among Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association recommend treating patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with the evidence-based beta blockers bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained-release metoprolol succinate(1) in order to reduce mortality and hospitalizations.(2 –6) To avoid triggering decompensation, treatment should begin with a low dose and then be uptitrated over time.(1) A report from an HF registry study conducted from 2003 - 2004 that was designed to improve adherence to treatment guidelines found that 75% of patients hospitalized for HFrEF were di scharged with a prescription for a beta blocker, and 93% of those participants still had a prescription for a beta blocker 60 - 90 days post discharge.(7) These data were based upon a sample of hospitals that self-selected to enroll in a program to improve adherence to recommended treatment guidelin es and did not account for prescriptions that were never filled.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Clinical Investigation Source Type: research