The Canadian Heart Failure (CAN-HF) Registry: A Canadian Multicentre, Retrospective Study of Inpatients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in the management of patients with heart failure (HF), national data regarding the quality of care provided are lacking. The Canadian Heart Failure (CAN-HF) Registry was designed to obtain contemporary, real-world data describing the management of patients with HF.

METHODS

Quality of care in patients admitted for acute HF (AHF), in relation to guidelines and national HF quality indicators, was assessed as part of the CAN-HF Registry study.

RESULTS

A total of 943 patients admitted to the hospital with AHF were included in this analysis. Patient weight was not recorded on admission for 26% of patients, with daily weight being captured in only 61% of patients. Only 54% of inpatients received left ventricular ejection fraction assessment while hospitalized. Patient education was documented in 31% of patients prior to discharge, with 51% receiving instructions to follow up with a specialist upon discharge, and 2% being referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program. Although use of guideline-directed medical therapy increased during hospitalization, the proportions of patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibition (63%), beta-blockade (80%), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (40%) upon discharge indicate that potential room for improvement exists.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAN-HF Registry study demonstrated a potential quality-of-care gap in the management of patients admitted with AHF.