NHS heart failure survey: a survey of acute heart failure admissions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

OBJECTIVES

To obtain national data on demographics, investigation, treatment and short-term outcome for patients admitted with acute heart failure.

DESIGN

Retrospective survey of emergency admissions with acute heart failure from October 2005 to March 2006.

SETTING

Acute NHS trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, referral source, admission characteristics, admission pathway, patient heart failure treatment on admission, length of stay, short-term mortality, discharge heart failure treatment, specialist follow-up and delayed discharge.

RESULTS

176/177 (99%) acute trusts responded and 9387 records were surveyed. Patients mean age was 77 (SD 11) years, 50% were women and 56% had prior history of heart failure. On average, women were 5 years older than men (80 vs 75 years, p<0.001), were less likely to have had echocardiography (52% vs 60%, p<0.001), and if previously diagnosed with heart failure less likely to be treated with ACE inhibitors (58.3% vs 66.8%, p<0.001), beta-blockers (30.1% vs 35.5%, p = 0.033) or aldosterone antagonists (18.9% vs 22.5%, p<0.001) at admission. In-hospital mortality was 15%. Age-adjusted mortality was higher in men (16% vs 14%, p = 0.042). 75% of patients were admitted with moderate to severe symptoms (NYHA class III or IV). Women were less likely to be prescribed anti-failure medication, except diuretics, on discharge (ACE-I/AIIRA 66.5% vs 73.4%, beta-blocker 31.3% vs 37.5%, aldosterone antagonists 23.4% vs 30.1%, all p<0.001). Only 20% of patients had planned specialist heart failure follow-up, with <1% referred for rehabilitation or specialist palliative care.

CONCLUSION

Many patients admitted to acute hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are not being managed fully in accordance with international evidence-based guidelines. In comparison with earlier UK studies, the use of echocardiography and ACE-I and beta-blockers has increased, and length of stay reduced. Only a minority of patients are seen, or followed up, by a specialist service. Women seem to be less well managed against recommended guidelines. Significant and sustained effort is required to address gender inequalities in the provision of heart failure care.