Optimizing Outcomes in Chronic Heart Failure: New Thinking, New Choices

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Guest: James J. Januzzi, MD

The financial and human burden of heart failure in the United States is substantial and growing. This condition represents the most common cause of hospitalizations and readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries, and these numbers are poised to grow substantially over the coming years with the aging of the population. Although evidence from community-based studies of heart failure patients demonstrates that hospitalization rates have declined over the past decade, these analyses also indicate that the management of this patient population is far from optimal. Until recently, available treatments have demonstrated only variable success in improving presenting signs and symptoms, but none have significantly altered post-discharge outcomes for patients presenting with chronic heart failure. Physicians who treat patients with chronic heart failure must possess a good working knowledge of clinical data for prognostic factors, recognize the considerations for individualizing treatment to meet patients’ needs, and understand the benefits and limitations of newer treatment approaches.