Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Implementation of the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Adherence to Science, Implementation in Asia (GWTG-HF
Hung-Yu Chang1,2, Chia-Te Liao3, Paul A Heidenreich4
1Heart Center Cheng Hsin General Hospital Taipei Taiwan.
Insights
Participation in the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Adherence to Science, Implementation in Asia (GWTG-HF A.S.I.A.) program significantly increased guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) use in Taiwan. This quality improvement initiative improved heart failure care and reduced patient loss to follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
- Clinical Quality Improvement
Background:
- Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is crucial for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but adoption in Asia is low.
- The Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Adherence to Science, Implementation in Asia (GWTG-HF A.S.I.A.) program was launched to address this gap.
- This study evaluates the impact of the GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. program on GDMT implementation in Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between participation in the GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. program and the implementation of GDMT for HFrEF patients in Taiwan.
- To compare GDMT prescription rates between participating and non-participating hospitals.
- To evaluate secondary outcomes including echocardiographic remodeling, loss to follow-up, and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1991 HFrEF patients from the Taiwan Society of Cardiology HF Registry (2021-2024).
- Comparison of 4 participating hospitals with 23 non-participating control hospitals.
- Propensity-score matching and generalized estimating equations to compare GDMT prescription trends and outcomes.
Main Results:
- GDMT use increased in both groups, with significantly greater increases in participating hospitals (aOR 2.73 for 4-pillar GDMTs).
- Program participation was associated with higher rates of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.
- Participating hospitals demonstrated improved left-ventricular reverse remodeling and significantly lower loss to follow-up (0.5% vs. 5.2%).
Conclusions:
- The GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. program effectively increased GDMT prescription rates in Taiwanese hospitals.
- Structured quality improvement initiatives are vital for bridging the evidence-practice gap in cardiovascular care in Asia.
- The program showed positive impacts on patient outcomes beyond medication adherence.
Background:
Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) improves outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, yet its adoption across Asia remains suboptimal. The American Heart Association launched the GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. (Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Adherence to Science, Implementation in Asia) program in 2021. We examined the association between program participation and GDMT implementation in Taiwan.
Methods:
We analyzed 1991 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction enrolled in the Taiwan Society of Cardiology HF Registry (2021-2024). Four hospitals participated in the GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. program (n=462) and 23 nonparticipating hospitals served as controls (n=1529). After propensity-score matching, prescription trends of 4-pillar GDMTs were compared using generalized estimating equations. Primary outcomes were patient-level and hospital-level GDMT prescription rates; secondary outcomes included echocardiographic remodeling, loss to follow-up, and 2-year mortality.
Results:
Between 2021 and 2024, GDMT use increased in both groups, with greater gains in participating hospitals. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for program participation were 2.73 (95% CI, 2.23-3.34) for 4-pillar GDMTs, 1.59 (95% CI, 1.31-1.92) for angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, 2.06 (95% CI, 1.72-2.47) for SGLT2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitors, and 1.63 (95% CI, 1.34-2.00) for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (all P<0.001). After SGLT2 inhibitor reimbursement in 2022, the prescription gap widened. Participating hospitals showed greater left-ventricular reverse remodeling and lower loss-to-follow-up (0.5% versus 5.2%, P<0.001), and 2-year mortality was similar.
Conclusions:
Participation in the GWTG-HF A.S.I.A. program was associated with higher GDMT prescription rates in Taiwanese hospitals. Structured quality improvement initiatives may help bridge the evidence-practice gap in Asia.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

