USE OF DRUGS AND PATIENT’S QUALITY OF LIFE IN HEART FAILURE CLINIC

Abstract

Background. Heart failure is associated with poor quality of life and frequent hospitalizations. Implementation of the clinical trials results, especially prescription of adequate daily doses, is regarded as insufficient. In Slovenia there is no data on quality of life in patients treated in heart failure clinic. Aim. This study assessed the effects of heart failure clinic on patients pharmacological treatment, number of hospitalisations and quality of life. Methods. Patients with established heart failure were enrolled on a basis of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Results. During seven months 48 patients (28 men and 20 women), aged 68.4 ± 11.9 years were included. Half of the patients referred after heart failure hospitalisation. After mean of 3.8 ± 1.5 visits in mean time of 2.9 ± 2.6 months more patients received angiotenzin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta adrenergic blockers (90 vs. 100%, p < 0.05 and 42% vs. 88%, p < 0.001, respectively). There was also an increase in mean daily dose of both drugs: from 60% to 86% for angiotenzin converting enzyme inhibitors and from 26% to 44% for beta adrenergic blockers (p < 0.001 for both). Hospital admissions were reduced by 79%. Quality of life, health, MLHFQ result and NYHA class all significantly improved (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Heart failure clinic can significantly improve patient’s quality of life and pharmacological treatment as well as reduce number of admissions due to heart failure.