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Epidemiological and pharmacological profile of congestive heart failure at Turkish academic hospitals

Ali Ergin1, Namik Kemal Eryol, Sükrü Unal

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Erciyes University Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey. ergina@erciyes.edu.tr

Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi : AKD = the Anatolian Journal of Cardiology
|March 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study reviewed congestive heart failure (CHF) treatment in Turkish hospitals. Key findings indicate suboptimal use of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, despite improvements in patient functional class.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) poses a significant health burden globally.
  • Effective management of CHF is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
  • Understanding current treatment practices is essential for identifying areas for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the current treatment status of congestive heart failure (CHF) in academic hospitals across Turkey.
  • To identify patterns in medication use, patient demographics, and CHF etiology within this cohort.
  • To assess the effectiveness of in-hospital management in improving patient functional status.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 661 consecutive patients diagnosed with CHF from 16 academic hospitals in Turkey.
  • Data collection included pre-admission, in-hospital, and discharge treatments, along with patient demographics, CHF causes, and laboratory findings.
  • Patient functional classification using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) system was assessed at admission and discharge.

Main Results:

  • The study included 661 patients with a mean age of 61 years. Ischemic CHF was more prevalent in men, while hypertension and rheumatic CHF were more common in women.
  • A significant improvement in functional class was observed, with 90% of patients initially in NYHA class III-IV, reducing to 2% in class IV at discharge.
  • While high rates of diuretic (95%) and aspirin (86%) use were noted, the utilization of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (77%) and particularly beta-blockers (3%) was suboptimal.

Conclusions:

  • Current treatment protocols for congestive heart failure (CHF) in Turkish academic hospitals show room for improvement, particularly regarding the uptake of evidence-based therapies.
  • The utilization of ACE inhibitors, a cornerstone of CHF management, remains below optimal levels.
  • Increased implementation and prescription of beta-blockers are strongly recommended to enhance CHF patient care and outcomes.
Abstract

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