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 use of the evidence-based beta-blockers bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained-release metoprolol succinate1 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 to 2004 that was designed to improve adherence to treatment guidelines found that 75% of patients hospitalized for HFrEF were disc harged with a prescription for a beta-blocker, and 93% of those participants still had a prescription for a beta-blocker 60–90 days after discharge.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - October 16, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Matthew Shane Loop, Melissa K. van Dyke, Ligong Chen, Monika M Safford, Meredith L Kilgore, Todd M Brown, Raegan W Durant, Emily B Levitan Tags: Clinical Investigation Source Type: research