Results of a national survey on the diagnosis of heart failure in nephrology clinics: a call to action.

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is a common comorbidity with a major prognostic impact in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, screening and diagnostic practices for HF in nephrology clinics are not optimized. The aim was to assess routine clinical practice and identify gaps in HF diagnosis in the care of patients with CKD at any stage.

METHODS

A nationwide survey of Spanish nephrologists was conducted using an electronic questionnaire. Data collection took place over a two-month period.

RESULTS

A total of 73 centers completed the questionnaire. The estimated prevalence of HF among the patients seen was 44.1%, although only 30% of these cases were thought to be documented in the medical record. Although 55.4% of respondents reported performing active screening, the use of diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, natriuretic peptides, and electrocardiography was variable and often conditioned by the presence of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

These findings support a call to action based on the need to implement protocolized, multidisciplinary strategies to optimize HF diagnosis, as well as the early initiation of appropriate therapies for HF in patients with chronic kidney disease.