Abstract 13892: Enhancing Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Post-Discharge Heart Failure Patients Through Comprehensive Medication Management Visits With Virtual Clinical Pharmacists

Abstract

Introduction: According to national registries, the adoption and effective titration of GDMT for patients with HFrEF remains notably inadequate. Utilizing virtual clinical pharmacists (VCPs) to identify deficiencies in medication therapy presents a flexible and efficient approach for thorough and immediate interventions following discharge. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis from May 2022-April 2023 examined post-discharge HF patients who participated in a comprehensive medication management (CMM) visit conducted by a VCP within 72 hours of their discharge. Results: Of 116 participants, 108 (93%) had a discharge diagnosis of HFrEF, and 8 (6.8%) with HFimpEF. During the VCP visit, 27 (23.3%) presented with active HF exacerbation symptoms including SOB (33%), fatigue (22%), weakness (19%), lower extremity swelling (11%), weight gain (11%), and tachycardia (4%). The percentages of the total population currently prescribed GDMT for HRrEF and HFimpEF classes are as follows: Beta Blocker (89.7%), ARNI (47.4%), MRA (33.6%), SGLT2i (25.9%), and ACEI/ARB (22.4%). Up-titrating of dosage was recommended for 75% of patients currently prescribed ARNI, 64% for Beta Blockers, and 51% for MRAs. Additionally, VCPs recommended adding the following drug classes to those not prescribed, despite being indicated: SGLT2i (45%), ARNI (30%), MRA (29%), Beta Blocker (25%), and ACEI/ARB (24%). Comprehensive counseling on HF self-care practices was delivered to the entire cohort (100%). Furthermore, support was extended to facilitate the management of comorbid conditions for 105 patients (91%), and social assistance was provided to 7 patients (6%). Conclusions: The utilization of VCPs played a crucial role in identifying care gaps, including but not limited to patient symptoms, suboptimal medication therapy, insufficient disease education, social assistance, and comorbidity management, which collectively contributed to initiating and up-titrating GDMT.