Kerala acute heart failure registry-Rationale, design and methods

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health challenge, yet comprehensive data from India remain limited.
• Understanding the burden, clinical practices, and outcomes of HF patients in India is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the Kerala Heart Failure Registry (KHFR), India's largest prospective registry for acute heart failure.
• To collect extensive data on demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches in Indian HF patients.
• To validate a heart failure mortality risk score using data from the KHFR.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multi-centric, hospital-based registry enrolling 7500 consecutive acute heart failure patients meeting European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criteria.
• Collection of detailed demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatment data, including guideline-based medical therapy.
• Regular follow-up at 1-month and 3-month intervals to record mortality and hospital admission data.

Main Results:

• The KHFR aims to provide the most extensive dataset on heart failure in India to date.
• The registry will offer insights into prevailing treatment patterns and patient outcomes.
• Validation of a previously developed heart failure mortality risk score will be a key outcome.

Conclusions:

• The KHFR will significantly enhance the understanding of heart failure epidemiology and management in India.
• Findings will inform clinical practice, public health strategies, and risk stratification for heart failure patients.
• This large-scale registry is expected to be a valuable resource for future heart failure research in the region.