Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Research Articles

A national heart failure initiative is associated with improved use of quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy

Abstract Background Heart Failure (HF) is projected to impact over 8 million people in the US by 2030. The 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of HF recommend four foundational medication classes for treating HFrEF patients: RAAS inhibitors, preferably angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi), evidence-based beta-blockers (EBBB), sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) referred to as Quadruple Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (Q-GDMT). Q-GDMT has shown an estimated 73% relative and 26% absolute reduction in all-cause mortality over 2 years. Yet, despite remarkable clinical potential, these therapies are patently underutilized in clinical practice. It is unknown whether an implementation science strategy may enhance adherence to Q-GDMT for HF. Methods IMPLEMENT-HF (IHF) is a national HF quality improvement initiative composed of a multidisciplinary learning collaborative and resource repository across seven U.S regions. IHF promotes adherence to Q-GDMT by focusing on early adoption and rapid adherence to prescribing at hospital discharge and within 30 days post discharge. Multi-disciplinary participation in the learning collaborative includes pharmacy, provider groups, nursing, quality, social services, outpatient clinics and others. Shared interventions to promote Q-GDMT include formulary changes (e.g., adding SGLT2i), optimizing electronic health record tools (disease-specific order sets, dot phrases), clinician education, and user-friendly patient resources to address medication access. IHF sites receive educational materials, including webinars, learning modules, pocket guideline booklets, and reminder cards to reinforce Q-GDMT. IHF participating hospitals collect Q-GDMT data at discharge and at 30 days post discharge in Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF). These data were analyzed from baseline (Q1 Q2 2021 aggregate) through Q3 2022. Results Data from 71 IHF participating sites of 13,858 HFrEF patient hospitalization episodes (median age 69, 34% females, median LVEF 24%), demonstrated Q-GDMT prescription at discharge increased from 14% at baseline to 47% in Q3 2022 (p value <0.001). 30-day post discharge data from 52 IHF sites demonstrated an increase in Q-GDMT from 9% at baseline to 58% in Q3 2022 (p value <0.001) as seen in Figure 1. Conclusions Among sites participating in IHF, the use of an implementation science strategy suggest a rapid increase in prescribing Q-GDMT for eligible HFrEF patients at discharge and 30-days post discharge. This multi-region quality improvement initiative demonstrates the potential for this learning collaborative model to drive improvement in adherence to Q-GDMT prescribing, using shared implementation strategies to overcome barriers. Ongoing study will assess continued compliance and clinical outcomes with Q-GDMT beyond the timeframe of this analysis.Quadruple Medication Therapy baseline-Q3

Medical Therapy Before, During and After Hospitalization in Medicare Beneficiaries With Heart Failure and Diabetes: Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Registry

Patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are at risk for worsening clinical status. Little is known about the frequency of therapeutic changes during hospitalization. We characterized the use of medical therapies before, during and after hospitalization in patients with HF and DM. We identified Medicare beneficiaries in Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) hospitalized between July 2014 and September 2019 with Part D prescription coverage. We evaluated trends in the use of 7 classes of antihyperglycemic therapies (metformin, sulfonylureas, GLP-1RA, SGLT2-inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and insulins) and 4 classes of HF therapies (evidence-based β-blockers, ACEi or ARB, MRA, and ARNI). Medication fills were assessed at 6 and 3 months before hospitalization, at hospital discharge and at 3 months post-discharge. Among 35,165 Medicare beneficiaries, the median age was 77 years, 54% were women, and 76% were white; 11,660 (33%) had HFrEF (LVEF ≤ 40%), 3700 (11%) had HFmrEF (LVEF 41%-49%), and 19,805 (56%) had HFpEF (LVEF ≥ 50%). Overall, insulin was the most commonly prescribed antihyperglycemic after HF hospitalization (n = 12,919, 37%), followed by metformin (n = 7460, 21%) and sulfonylureas (n = 7030, 20%). GLP-1RA (n = 700, 2.0%) and SGLT2i (n = 287, 1.0%) use was low and did not improve over time. In patients with HFrEF, evidence-based beta-blocker, RASi, MRA, and ARNI fills during the 6 months preceding HF hospitalization were 63%, 62%, 19%, and 4%, respectively. Fills initially declined prior to hospitalization, but then rose from 3 months before hospitalization to discharge (beta-blocker: 56%-82%; RASi: 51%-57%, MRA: 15%-28%, ARNI: 3%-6%, triple therapy: 8%-20%; P < 0.01 for all). Prescription rates 3 months after hospitalization were similar to those at hospital discharge. In-hospital optimization of medical therapy in patients with HF and DM is common in participating hospitals of a large US quality improvement registry.

Opportunities and Achievement of Medication Initiation Among Inpatients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

BackgroundInitiation of evidence-based medications for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) during hospitalization in contemporary practice is unknown. ObjectivesThis study characterized opportunities for and achievement of heart failure (HF) medication initiation. MethodsUsing the GWTG-HF (Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure) Registry 2017-2020, which collected data on contraindications and prescribing for 7 evidence-based HF-related medications, we assessed the number of medications for which each patient with HFrEF was eligible, use before admission, and prescribed at discharge. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with medication initiation. ResultsAmong 50,170 patients from 160 sites, patients were eligible for mean number of 3.9 ± 1.1 evidence-based medications with 2.1 ± 1.3 used before admission and 3.0 ± 1.0 prescribed on discharge. The number of patients receiving all indicated medications increased from admission (14.9%) to discharge (32.8%), a mean net gain of 0.9 ± 1.3 medications over a mean of 5.6 ± 5.3 days. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with lower odds of HF medication initiation included older age, female sex, medical pre-existing conditions (stroke, peripheral arterial disease, pulmonary disease, and renal insufficiency), and rural location. Odds of medication initiation increased during the study period (adjusted OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.10). ConclusionsNearly 1 in 6 patients received all indicated HF-related medications on admission, increasing to 1 in 3 on discharge with an average of 1 new medication initiation. Opportunities to initiate evidence-based medications persist, particularly among women, those with comorbidities, and those receiving care at rural hospitals.

Contemporary Use of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Therapy Among Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in the US

Clinical guidelines for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) strongly recommend treatment with a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) to reduce cardiovascular mortality or HF hospitalization. Nationwide adoption of SGLT2i for HFrEF in the US is unknown. To characterize patterns of SGLT2i use among eligible US patients hospitalized for HFrEF. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 49 399 patients hospitalized for HFrEF across 489 sites in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 20 mL/min/1.73 m2, type 1 diabetes, and previous intolerance to SGLT2i were excluded. Patient-level and hospital-level prescription of SGLT2i at hospital discharge. Of 49 399 included patients, 16 548 (33.5%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 67 (56-78) years. Overall, 9988 patients (20.2%) were prescribed an SGLT2i. SGLT2i prescription was less likely among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD; 4550 of 24 437 [18.6%] vs 5438 of 24 962 [21.8%]; P < .001) but more likely among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D; 5721 of 21 830 [26.2%] vs 4262 of 27 545 [15.5%]; P < .001) and those with both T2D and CKD (2905 of 12 236 [23.7%] vs 7078 vs 37 139 [19.1%]; P < .001). Patients prescribed SGLT2i therapy were more likely to be prescribed background triple therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, β-blocker, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (4624 of 9988 [46.3%] vs 10 880 of 39 411 [27.6%]; P < .001), and 4624 of 49 399 total study patients (9.4%) were discharged with prescriptions for quadruple medical therapy including SGLT2i. Among 461 hospitals with 10 or more eligible discharges, 19 hospitals (4.1%) discharged 50% or more of patients with prescriptions for SGLT2i, whereas 344 hospitals (74.6%) discharged less than 25% of patients with prescriptions for SGLT2i (including 29 [6.3%] that discharged zero patients with SGLT2i prescriptions). There was high between-hospital variance in the rate of SGLT2i prescription in unadjusted models (median odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.36-2.74) and after adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics (median odds ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 2.34-2.71). In this study, prescription of SGLT2i at hospital discharge among eligible patients with HFrEF was low, including among patients with comorbid CKD and T2D who have multiple indications for therapy, with substantial variation among US hospitals. Further efforts are needed to overcome implementation barriers and improve use of SGLT2i among patients with HFrEF.

Clinical Profile, Health Care Costs, and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure With Severely Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background Many patients with heart failure (HF) have severely reduced ejection fraction but do not meet threshold for consideration of advanced therapies (ie, stage D HF). The clinical profile and health care costs associated with these patients in US practice is not well described. Methods and Results We examined patients hospitalized for worsening chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction ≤40% from 2014 to 2019 in the GWTG-HF (Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure) registry, who did not receive advanced HF therapies or have end-stage kidney disease. Patients with severely reduced EF defined as EF ≤30% were compared with those with EF 31% to 40% in terms of clinical profile and guideline-directed medical therapy. Among Medicare beneficiaries, postdischarge outcomes and health care expenditure were compared. Among 113 348 patients with EF ≤40%, 69% (78 589) had an EF ≤30%. Patients with severely reduced EF ≤30% tended to be younger and were more likely to be Black. Patients with EF ≤30% also tended to have fewer comorbidities and were more likely to be prescribed guideline-directed medical therapy ("triple therapy" 28.3% versus 18.2%, P<0.001). At 12-months postdischarge, patients with EF ≤30% had significantly higher risk of death (HR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.08-1.18]) and HF hospitalization (HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.09-1.19]), with similar risk of all-cause hospitalizations. Health care expenditures were numerically higher for patients with EF ≤30% (median US$22 648 versus $21 392, P=0.11). Conclusions Among patients hospitalized for worsening chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in US clinical practice, most patients have severely reduced EF ≤30%. Despite younger age and modestly higher use of guideline-directed medical therapy at discharge, patients with severely reduced EF face heightened postdischarge risk of death and HF hospitalization.

Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in Rural vs Urban US Hospitals

Prior studies have suggested patients with heart failure (HF) from rural areas have worse clinical outcomes. Contemporary differences between rural and urban hospitals in quality of care and clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized for HF remain poorly understood. To assess quality of care and clinical outcomes for US patients hospitalized for HF at rural vs urban hospitals. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 774 419 patients hospitalized for HF across 569 sites in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry between January 1, 2014, and September 30, 2021. Postdischarge outcomes were assessed in a subset of 161 996 patients linked to Medicare claims. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to January 2023. GWTG-HF quality measures, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and 30-day mortality and readmission outcomes. This study included 19 832 patients (2.6%) and 754 587 patients (97.4%) hospitalized at 49 rural hospitals (8.6%) and 520 urban hospitals (91.4%), respectively. Of 774 419 included patients, 366 161 (47.3%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 73 (62-83) years. Compared with patients at urban hospitals, patients at rural hospitals were older (median [IQR] age, 74 [64-84] years vs 73 [61-83] years; standardized difference, 10.63) and more likely to be non-Hispanic White (14 572 [73.5%] vs 498 950 [66.1%]; standardized difference, 34.47). In adjusted models, patients at rural hospitals were less likely to be prescribed cardiac resynchronization therapy (adjusted risk difference [aRD], -13.5%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.92), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (aRD, -3.7%; aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.96), and an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (aRD, -5.0%; aOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.98) at discharge. In-hospital mortality was similar between rural and urban hospitals (460 of 19 832 [2.3%] vs 20 529 of 754 587 [2.7%]; aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70-1.07). Patients at rural hospitals were less likely to have a length of stay of 4 or more days (aOR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.85). Among Medicare beneficiaries, there were no significant differences between rural and urban hospitals in 30-day HF readmission (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19), all-cause readmission (aHR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.91-1.04), and all-cause mortality (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.91-1.21). In this large contemporary cohort of US patients hospitalized for HF, care at rural hospitals was independently associated with lower use of some guideline-recommended therapies at discharge and shorter length of stay. In-hospital mortality and 30-day postdischarge outcomes were similar at rural and urban hospitals.

Applicability of Vericiguat to Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in the United States

BackgroundIn January 2021, vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization among patients with a recent worsening HF event based on the VICTORIA (VerICiguaT Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) trial. ObjectivesThis study sought to leverage a contemporary U.S. registry of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) to characterize patients who may be candidates for vericiguat based on FDA label and the VICTORIA trial eligibility criteria. MethodsThe authors studied patients hospitalized for HF with ejection fraction (EF) <45% across 525 sites in the GWTG-HF (Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure) registry between January 2014 and December 2020. Approximate FDA label criteria (excluding estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, dialysis, or patients with heart transplantation or durable mechanical circulatory support) and eligibility criteria for the VICTORIA trial were applied to the GWTG-HF cohort. ResultsAmong 241,057 patients with EF <45% in the GWTG-HF registry, 221,730 (92%) could be candidates for vericiguat under the FDA label and 92,249 (38%) would have been eligible for the VICTORIA trial. The most frequent reasons for ineligibility for the FDA label were eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 (5.7%) and dialysis (1.6%). Although there were greater proportions of women and Black patients in the GWTG-HF registry, most clinical characteristics were qualitatively similar with patients enrolled in the VICTORIA trial. Among Medicare beneficiaries in the GWTG-HF registry eligible for vericiguat by either FDA label or VICTORIA trial criteria, 12-month postdischarge rates of mortality (36%-37%), HF hospitalization (33%-35%), all-cause hospitalization (64%-66%), and mean health care expenditure (U.S. $25,106-$25,428) were high. ConclusionsData from a large, contemporary U.S. registry of patients actively hospitalized for HF with EF <45% suggest that approximately 4 in 10 patients meet the criteria of the VICTORIA trial and that more than 9 in 10 patients are potential candidates for vericiguat based on the FDA label. Contemporary Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for HF with EF <45% and eligible for vericiguat face high rates of postdischarge mortality and readmission and accrue substantial health care costs.

Abstract 15734: Intersection of Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure With Mildly Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction in &gt;400,000 Participants in the Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure Registry

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist, yet few studies have examined longitudinal trends or post-discharge outcomes in this disease intersection. Methods: We evaluated 429,464 participants hospitalized for HF and left ventricular ejection fraction &gt;40% across 644 sites in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry from January 2014 to December 2020. We compared clinical profiles among those with and without AF (defined by medical history or occurring at presentation or during hospitalization). We additionally examined 12-month post-discharge death and all-cause/cause-specific readmissions among 79,895 participants ≥65 years discharged alive with linked Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services inpatient files and Parts A, B, and D Fee-for-Service eligibility. Results: Prevalence of AF increased from 48.5% in Q1 2014 to 52.1% in Q4 2020 among the 76,886 patients with HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF; 41-49%) and increased from 49.7% to 50.1% among the 352,578 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; ≥50%); both P-trend&lt;0.001. Among those with AF, 28% had a history of AF but were not actively in AF during hospitalization, while 11% had newly-detected AF at time of hospitalization. Median heart rate among those with AF was 80 (69-95)bpm at admission and 75 (66-86)bpm at discharge. Patients with AF faced higher 12-month rates of death (35% vs. 29%) and readmission for HF (30% vs. 27%), stroke (2.1% vs. 1.7%), bleeding (6% vs. 5%), and AF (5% vs. 2%). These associations persisted after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical risk factors ( Figure ). Conclusions: Prevalence of AF is rising among patients hospitalized with HFmrEF and HFpEF. AF is independently associated with increased post-discharge risks of death and a broad range of clinical events requiring rehospitalization.

Abstract 9814: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and Low Voltage 12-Lead Ecg

Background: Low voltage ECG (LowV-ECG) pattern is defined as a peak-to-peak QRS amplitude of less than 5mm in the limb leads and/or less than 10mm in the pericardial leads. It can occur in many cardiac conditions associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), such as ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), cardiac amyloidosis (CA), hemochromatosis (HC), and hypothyroidism (HT). The clinical significance of LowV-ECG abnormalities in CHF patients has not been well investigated. Methods: Clinical, echocardiographic, and ECG data was collected in 460 consecutive CHF patients with non-V-paced rhythms enrolled over 2 years in the Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure (GWG-HF) registry at a single academic tertiary center. ECGs were reviewed for the presence of low QRS voltage and additional ECG features classically reported in ICM, CA, HC, and HT. Results: LowV-ECG was noted in 8.5% patients (39/460) of the study cohort, and was more common in females, 11.6% (25/216) vs. 5.7% (14/244) in males, p=0.025. LowV-ECG patients had increased BMI (34.9+/-12.8 vs. 31.1+/-9 kg/m2, p=0.016) and more commonly had a history of DM (12.2% vs.5.5%, p=0.01). There were no significant differences in age, GFR, or presence of CAD, hypertension or Afib. Prevalence of HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF in patients with LowV-ECG was 6.8, 10, and 9.8%, respectively, p=0.506. With regards to the ECG features typically associated with cardiac amyloidosis, poor R-wave progression was more common in LowV-ECG patients, 41% (16/39) vs.13.5% (57/421) in the rest of the cohort, p&lt;0.001, but there was no significant difference in prevalence of pseudo-infarct pattern, 15.4% (6/39) vs. 10.5% (44/421), p=0.344, or in prevalence of LBBB or incomplete LBBB or non-specific IVCD, 15.4% (6/39) vs. 17.3% (73/421), p=0.164. After 70.7+/-25.2 months follow-up, Low-V ECG was not associated with increased mortality (12.8% vs. 20.4%, p=0.253). Rates of 30, 60, and 90-day readmissions were not increased. Conclusions: Among patients admitted with a CHF diagnosis, low voltage ECG pattern was more commonly seen in females, overweight patients, and in patients with diabetes. Low voltage ECG patients did not display additional ECG features typical of cardiac amyloidosis and did not experience adverse short- or long-term outcomes.

Abstract 9710: Prevalence of Ekg Criteria Suggestive of Fabry’S Disease in Heart Failure Patients

Introduction: Cardiac disease is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in Fabry disease, an X-linked genetic condition caused by a defect in alpha-galactosidase A. Diagnosis of Fabry’s disease requires high index of suspicion and includes EKG assessment. Prevalence of EKG changes consistent with Fabry disease in patients admitted with heart failure has not been well investigated. Methods: Clinical, EKG and echocardiographic data were collected in 460 non-V paced consecutive CHF patients enrolled over 2 years in the Get with The Guidelines Heart failure (GWG-HF) registry at a single academic center. Fabry disease EKG features including shortened PR intervals, AV block, LVH criteria, QRS prolongation, left atrial enlargement (LAE), atrial fibrillation (AFIB), and bradycardia were recorded. Results: Of the studied criteria, shortened PR was noted in only 1.85% (6/324) of patients in sinus rhythm. Of the 460 non-V-paced rhythms patients, LVH was noted in 19% (87/460), QRS&gt;120 ms in 20% (96/460), LAE in 21% (98/460), AFIB in 21% (100/460), and HR &lt;60 bpm in 8% (37/460). Overall, 15% (70/460) of patients with non-V-paced rhythms had a combination of LVH/QRS and LAE/AFIB; this combination of ECG findings is potentially suggestive of Fabry disease. There were no significant differences in gender, age, BMI, BNP, GFR, or Hgb levels, degree LV dysfunction, histories of HTN, CAD, diabetes in these 70 patients vs. the rest of the cohort. However, patients with these criteria had significantly increased prevalence of HFrEF (55.7%, 39/70, vs. 42.8% in the rest of the cohort, 167/390, p=0.031). There was no difference in re-admission and/or mortality rates during the 70.7+/-25.2 month follow-up according to these ECG criteria. Conclusions: In our study of unselected patients with ascertained CHF diagnosis, many manifested with multiple EKG features associated with Fabry’s disease. While these patients had increased prevalence of HFrEF, there were no clinical or demographic characteristics separating these individuals from the rest of the cohort. Given poor prognosis and treatable nature of Fabry’s disease, these patients may benefit from additional clinical and laboratory evaluation directed at Fabry’s disease diagnosis

Abstract 12170: A National Heart Failure Initiative is Associated With Improved Use of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapies

Background: Heart Failure (HF) is projected to impact over 8 million people by 2030. Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) reduces mortality and morbidity, but many eligible patients are not receiving the recommended medications. The 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA Guideline for the Management of HF highlight the importance of SGLT2i and ARNi, which continue to be underused in eligible HFrEF patients. Methods: IMPLEMENT-HF (I-HF), a national HF quality improvement initiative focusing on early adoption of GDMT, aims to improve use of SGLT2i and ARNi for HFrEF patients. I-HF creates a transformative learning collaborative and resource repository across seven U.S regions to promote education and adherence to GDMT, that includes sharing models of clinical care, targeted training, resource development, and quality improvement consultation. Participation in a learning collaborative allows for sharing of interventions, such as adding SGLT2i on formulary, optimizing EHR tools for GDMT (best practice alerts, disease-specific order sets, dot phrases), provider education, and patient resources to address medication affordability. Sites receive educational materials, including webinars, pocket guideline booklets, and guideline reminder cards to reinforce GDMT. Participating hospitals collect GDMT data in Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF). ARNi and SGLT2i at discharge was analyzed from baseline (Q1 &amp; Q2 2021 aggregate) through Q1 2022. Results: Data from 62 sites (16,533 HF patient records) showed that use of ARNi at hospital discharge increased from baseline 46% to 58% in Q1 2022, +12%, p value &lt;0.001. SGLT2i use at discharge increased from 8% to 26%, +18%, p value &lt;0.001 (Figure 1). Conclusions: Among centers participating in the I-HF initiative, early findings suggest there has been a rapid increase in use of SGLT2i and ARNi at discharge for HFrEF patients. Further study is needed to assess post-discharge GDMT use, adherence, and clinical outcomes.

Abstract 14404: Variation and Predictors of Referral for Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Patients With Heart Failure Before and After Expansion of Coverage and Association With 1-year Clinical Outcomes

Introduction: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) expanded coverage for cardiac rehabilitation(CR) in 2014 for patients with clinically stable heart failure(HF) with reduced ejection fraction. Contemporary CR referral and participation rates among eligible patients with HFrEF are not known. Methods: Patients hospitalized for HF with ejection fraction ≤35% in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®-HF(GWTG-HF) registry from 2010-2020 were included. Trends in rate of referrals and predictors of referral were determined. Among subset of participants with available Medicare-linked data, rate of CR participation was assessed, and 1-year outcomes were compared among patients referred vs. not referred to CR. Results: Of 69,441 HF patients eligible for CR, 17,076(24.6%) were referred to CR. There was substantial variability in referral across GWTG-HF participating centers (range 0-100%, IQR 4%-50%). Of patients with fee-for-service Medicare referred to CR, only 4.2% participated in CR in the year following HF hospitalization (median sessions: 3, range 1-76). Referral rate increased from 2010-2020, with significant increase since 2014 CMS coverage expansion (p trend &lt;0.001). Patients not referred were more likely to be older, of minority race, and with greater burden of comorbidities. Patients admitted to rural hospitals and those in the Northeast were less likely to be referred to CR. Among patients free of HF events within 30 days post-discharge, CR referral was independently associated with lower risk of 1-year all-cause mortality vs. those not referred (HR 0.84, 95% CI (0.73 - 0.98, p = 0.0267), without significant difference in 1-year HF-related or all-cause readmission. Conclusions: Although CR referrals have increased among eligible HF patients since CMS expanded coverage in 2014, absolute referral and participation rates remain low. Age, race, and burden of comorbidities were independently associated with CR referral.

Clinical performance and quality measures for heart failure management in China: the China-Heart Failure registry study.

Heart failure (HF) remains a major public health problem with increasing prevalence in China. This study evaluated the clinical performance and quality measures for HF management to identify gaps in the standardization of care for patients hospitalized for HF in China. Following the results of China-HF stage I (2012-2015), the second stage of the China-HF was launched in 2017. Among 113 hospitals with ≥100 cases, the China-HF Stage II assessed the quality of care measures for HF and compared results with previous data in China and the US-based Get with The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registries. In total, 34938 patients hospitalized with HF were enrolled from January 2017 to October 2020. Echocardiographic left ventricular function and natriuretic peptide test were performed in 93.7% and 93.0% of the cases, respectively. Adherence to standardized guidelines in China-HF stage II was higher than that in the China-HF stage I, but generally lower than GWTG-HF registry with 78.2% of eligible patients was prescribed oral diuretics, 78.7% renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors, and 82.2% beta-blockers. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization devices were implanted in 3.9% and 14.6%, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of eligible patients discharged with spironolactone (87.8%) was higher than GWTG-HF. The median length of hospitalization was 9 (6, 12) days, and 938 (2.8%) patients died or withdrew from treatment during hospitalization. Despite significant improvements in the use of guideline-recommended testing and therapy, there remain major gaps in quality of care for patients hospitalized for HF in China that are generally larger than gaps observed in the United States.

Relation of lymphopenia to comorbidity burden and its prognostic value in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: a multicentre study

Abstract Background Systemic inflammation resulting from comorbidities is postulated to play a central role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Lymphopenia is a common manifestation of systemic inflammation and a prognostic factor in patients with HF. However, the association of lymphopenia with the comorbidity burden is unknown, and its prognostic value in patients with HFpEF admitted due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) also remains elusive. Purpose We sought to clarify the relation of lymphopenia with the comorbidity burden, as well as its prognostic value and complementarity with the Get with the Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) risk score in ADHF patients with HFpEF. Methods Patients' data were extracted from the Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (PURSUIT-HFpEF), which is a prospective multicentre registry for patients with ADHF with a LVEF ≥50%. We analysed data of patients admitted between June 2016 and December 2020 who survived to discharge. The total lymphocyte count (per μL) and GWTG-HF risk score were obtained on admission, as previously reported. Comorbidity burden was defined as the number of comorbidities from the following: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anaemia, and obesity. The study endpoint was all-cause death. Results Over a median follow-up of 417 days, 181 of the 1013 included patients died. The proportion of patients with a total lymphocyte count in the lowest tertile was increasing with the increase in comorbidity burden (Figure 1). In the multivariate Cox analysis, a total lymphocyte count in the intermediate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–2.41, p=0.0486) and lowest tertile (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.47–3.38, p=0.0002) was independently associated with all-cause death. There was a significant difference in the all-cause death rate among the groups stratified by total lymphocyte count tertile (Figure 2). The total lymphocyte count had a higher C-statistic value (0.627) for the prediction of all-cause death than the GWTG-HF risk score, and the C-statistic value of the GWTG-HF risk score was improved when the total lymphocyte count was added (0.613 to 0.636, p=0.0260). Conclusions Lymphopenia was significantly associated with comorbidity burden. Furthermore, it was a useful marker of poor prognosis in hospitalised patients with acute HFpEF and was shown to be complementary to the contemporary HF prognostic score. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Roche Diagnostics K.K.Fuji Film Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd.

Triglyceride glucose index and its combination with the Get with the Guidelines-Heart Failure score in predicting the prognosis in patients with heart failure.

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is associated with generalized insulin resistance (IR). Recent studies demonstrated that triglyceride glucose (TyG) is an effective alternative index of IR. However, the relationship between the TyG index and in-hospital mortality in patients with HF is unclear. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the association between the TyG index and in-hospital mortality in patients with HF.MethodsA retrospective study consisting of 4,411 patients diagnosed with HF from 2015 to 2018 was conducted. All-cause mortality during hospitalization was the primary endpoint. The association between the TyG index and in-hospital mortality was assessed using the logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe risk of in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with increased TyG index (OR: 1.886, 95% CI: 1.421–2.501, p < 0.001) under logistic regression with multivariable adjustment. When divided into three groups based on the TyG index, Tertile 3 demonstrated significantly higher in-hospital mortality than the other two Tertiles (OR: 2.076, 95% CI: 1.284–3.354, p = 0.001). Moreover, the TyG index improved the prediction efficiency of the Get with the Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) score (absolute integrated discrimination improvement = 0.006, p < 0.001; category-free net reclassification improvement = 0.075, p = 0.005). In subgroup analysis, the TyG index exhibited similar predictive performance of in-hospital mortality when groups were stratified based on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD).ConclusionTyG is a potential index for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with HF, independent of T2DM or CAD status. The TyG index may be combined with the GWTG-HF score to further improve its predictive efficacy.

Machine Learning–Based Models Incorporating Social Determinants of Health vs Traditional Models for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure

Traditional models for predicting in-hospital mortality for patients with heart failure (HF) have used logistic regression and do not account for social determinants of health (SDOH). To develop and validate novel machine learning (ML) models for HF mortality that incorporate SDOH. This retrospective study used the data from the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry to identify HF hospitalizations between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020. The study included patients with acute decompensated HF who were hospitalized at the GWTG-HF participating centers during the study period. Data analysis was performed January 6, 2021, to April 26, 2022. External validation was performed in the hospitalization cohort from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study between 2005 and 2014. Random forest-based ML approaches were used to develop race-specific and race-agnostic models for predicting in-hospital mortality. Performance was assessed using C index (discrimination), regression slopes for observed vs predicted mortality rates (calibration), and decision curves for prognostic utility. The training data set included 123 634 hospitalized patients with HF who were enrolled in the GWTG-HF registry (mean [SD] age, 71 [13] years; 58 356 [47.2%] female individuals; 65 278 [52.8%] male individuals. Patients were analyzed in 2 categories: Black (23 453 [19.0%]) and non-Black (2121 [2.1%] Asian; 91 154 [91.0%] White, and 6906 [6.9%] other race and ethnicity). The ML models demonstrated excellent performance in the internal testing subset (n = 82 420) (C statistic, 0.81 for Black patients and 0.82 for non-Black patients) and in the real-world-like cohort with less than 50% missingness on covariates (n = 553 506; C statistic, 0.74 for Black patients and 0.75 for non-Black patients). In the external validation cohort (ARIC registry; n = 1205 Black patients and 2264 non-Black patients), ML models demonstrated high discrimination and adequate calibration (C statistic, 0.79 and 0.80, respectively). Furthermore, the performance of the ML models was superior to the traditional GWTG-HF risk score model (C index, 0.69 for both race groups) and other rederived logistic regression models using race as a covariate. The performance of the ML models was identical using the race-specific and race-agnostic approaches in the GWTG-HF and external validation cohorts. In the GWTG-HF cohort, the addition of zip code-level SDOH parameters to the ML model with clinical covariates only was associated with better discrimination, prognostic utility (assessed using decision curves), and model reclassification metrics in Black patients (net reclassification improvement, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.14-0.30]; P < .001) but not in non-Black patients. ML models for HF mortality demonstrated superior performance to the traditional and rederived logistic regressions models using race as a covariate. The addition of SDOH parameters improved the prognostic utility of prediction models in Black patients but not non-Black patients in the GWTG-HF registry.

Abstract 248: IMPLEMENT-HF: An Initiative To Improve Guideline Adherence Across The Continuum

Background &amp; Objectives: Nearly 1 in 4 heart failure (HF) patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge and nearly half readmitted in 6 months. HF prevalence is projected to continue increasing resulting in over 8 million adults with HF by 2030. Rising prevalence and poor outcomes provide significant improvement opportunities. Health system participation in a quality improvement (QI) initiative promoting adherence to evidence-based scientific clinical practice guidelines informs high quality care and improves patient outcomes. IMPLEMENT-HF, an American Heart Association (AHA) multi-site QI collaborative across inpatient and outpatient settings, uses implementation science and data analysis to improve guideline adherence across the HF care continuum. Methods: The IMPLEMENT-HF program targets the transformation of HF care in seven national regions. Organizations across the care continuum collect baseline and 30-day follow-up HF data and contribute to learning collaboratives. Data sources include HF measures in the AHA Outpatient Pilot Registry and Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) inpatient and post-acute data. In addition to quantitative data, qualitative data including needs assessments, model sharing queries, and evaluation surveys are assessed. After establishing benchmark data, performance is evaluated continuously to identify care gaps. Opportunities for HF QI from this analysis emanate from 1:1 site meetings, regional, and initiative-wide learning collaboratives. AHA staff monitor data to recommend improvements, provide consultation, and deliver targeted training and resources to address common guideline adherence barriers. Intended Analyses: Demonstrate improved guideline adherence across the currently participating 60 sites; benchmark clinical outcomes, esp., mortality, against prevailing community norms with a goal absolute reduction in cardiovascular mortality of 5%; and use multi-site collaboration to develop and promulgate implementation strategies. Conclusions: This three-year multi-region QI initiative connects sites to share challenges and strategies, develop resources, and analyze data to foster continuous guideline adherence improvement across the HF care continuum.

Minimal subphenotyping model for acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AimsApplication of the latent class analysis to acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) showed that the heterogeneous acute HFpEF patients can be classified into four distinct phenotypes with different clinical outcomes. This model‐based clustering required a total of 32 variables to be included. However, this large number of variables will impair the clinical application of this classification algorithm. This study aimed to identify the minimal number of variables for the development of optimal subphenotyping model.Methods and resultsThis study is a post hoc analysis of the PURSUIT‐HFpEF study (N = 1095), a prospective, multi‐referral centre, observational study of acute HFpEF [UMIN000021831]. We previously applied the latent class analysis to the PURSUIT‐HFpEF dataset and established the full 32‐variable model for subphenotyping. In this study, we used the Cohen's kappa statistic to investigate the minimal number of discriminatory variables needed to accurately classify the phenogroups in comparison with the full 32‐variable model. Cohen's kappa statistic of the top‐X number of discriminatory variables compared with the full 32‐variable derivation model showed that the models with ≥16 discriminatory variables showed kappa value of >0.8, suggesting that the minimal number of discriminatory variables for the optimal phenotyping model was 16. The 16‐variable model consists of C‐reactive protein, creatinine, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, brain natriuretic peptide, white blood cells, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, clinical scenario classification, infection‐triggered acute decompensated HF, estimated glomerular filtration rate, platelets, neutrophils, GWTG‐HF (Get With The Guidelines‐Heart Failure) risk score, chronic kidney disease, and CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status) score. Characteristics and clinical outcomes of the four phenotypes subclassified by the minimal 16‐variable model were consistent with those by the full 32‐variable model. The four phenotypes were labelled based on their characteristics as ‘rhythm trouble’, ‘ventricular‐arterial uncoupling’, ‘low output and systemic congestion’, and ‘systemic failure’, respectively.ConclusionsThe phenotyping model with top 16 variables showed almost perfect agreement with the full 32‐variable model. The minimal model may enhance the future clinical application of this clustering algorithm.

Heart failure quality of care and in-hospital outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure registry.

AimsTo assess heart failure (HF) in‐hospital quality of care and outcomes before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.Methods and resultsPatients hospitalized for HF with ejection fraction (EF) <40% in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines©‐HF (GWTG‐HF) registry during the COVID‐19 pandemic (3/1/2020–4/1/2021) and pre‐pandemic (2/1/2019–2/29/2020) periods were included. Adherence to HF process of care measures, in‐hospital mortality, and length of stay (LOS) were compared in pre‐pandemic vs. pandemic periods and in patients with vs. without COVID‐19. Overall, 42 004 pre‐pandemic and 37 027 pandemic period patients (median age 68, 33% women, 58% White) were included without observed differences across clinical characteristics, comorbidities, vital signs, or EF. Utilization of guideline‐directed medical therapy at discharge was comparable across both periods, with rates of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement or prescription lower during the pandemic (vs. pre‐pandemic period). In‐hospital mortality (3.0% vs. 2.5%, p <0.0001) and LOS (mean 5.7 vs. 5.4 days, p <0.0004) were higher during the pandemic vs. pre‐pandemic. The highest in‐hospital mortality during the pandemic was observed among patients hospitalized in the Northeast region (3.4%). Among patients concurrently diagnosed with COVID‐19 (n = 549; 1.5%), adherence to ICD placement or prescription, prescription of aldosterone antagonist or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor at discharge were lower, and in‐hospital mortality (8.2% vs. 3.0%, p <0.0001) and LOS (mean 7.7 vs. 5.7 days, p <0.0001) were higher than those without COVID‐19.ConclusionAmong GWTG‐HF participating hospitals, patients hospitalized for HF with reduced EF during the pandemic received similar care quality but experienced higher in‐hospital mortality than the pre‐pandemic period.

Value of the Neutrophils/Prealbumin Ratio and Its Combination With the GWTG-HF Score in Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Under malnutrition, inflammation can worsen and lead to a poor prognosis. In previous studies, neutrophils and prealbumin can be used as sensitive indicators of inflammatory and nutritional status. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the association between neutrophils/prealbumin ratio (NPR) and in-hospital mortality in patients with HF. We set up a retrospective study which was consisted of 9,687 patients who were diagnosed with HF from 2013 to 2018. NPR was analyzed by continuous variable, as well as the form of category. All-cause mortality during hospitalization was the primary end point. Under logistic regression multivariable adjustment, the risk of in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with increased NPR (odds ratio 1.064, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043 to 1.086, p <0.001), followed by those in the Tertile 3 group (NPR>3.13) (odds ratio 5.695, 95% CI 3.524 to 9.204, p <0.001). The C-statistic for NPR was 0.783 (95% CI 0.775 to 0.791, p <0.001). Compared with get with The Guidelines - Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) score, NPR has a better prediction efficiency under C-statistic (z=3.695, p=0.002). Moreover, NPR can improve the prediction efficiency of the GWTG-HF score (GWTG-HF score+NPR vs GWTG-HF score: z=8.757, p <0.001; integrated discrimination improvement=0.0163, p <0.001; net reclassification improvement=0.4441, p <0.001). In conclusion, NPR was an independent prognosticator of in-hospital mortality in patients with HF. NPR has better prediction efficiency than the GWTG-HF score, and NPR can improve the prediction efficiency of the GWTG-HF score.