The State and Direction of Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The pharmacological treatment of heart failure has evolved over the last three decades since the demonstration of the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on major cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Composite analysis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction trials and the recent identification of newer drug treatments show early benefits on the major cardiovascular outcomes, ushering in a change of the treatment strategy; from a ‘sequential’ initiation of the treatments to a ‘simultaneous’ initiation to harness the early benefits. The adoption and implementation of these changes at the bedside have been dismal in many healthcare settings. Papua New Guinea, like many other lower-to-middle-income countries, is facing many barriers that impact on the care of heart failure patients. It needs to adopt and implement these changes to provide evidence-based treatment for its people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.