Underutilisation of IV nitrates in the treatment of acute heart failure

M. Mohan, S. Hawkey, F. Baig, A. M. Choy, C. C. Lang (Lead / Corresponding author)

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    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Acute heart failure (AHF) is a growing public health concern with high in-hospital mortality and costs. Clinical practice guidelines, underpinned by positive randomised controlled trials, recommend the early use of intravenous (IV) nitrates in the treatment of AHF. However, the 'real world' usage of IV nitrates has not been clearly defined. The objective of this study was to examine the use of IV nitrates in the treatment of AHF as recommended by clinical practice guidelines. A case record analysis was conducted of all admissions with AHF at a large teaching hospital. Of the 81 AHF patients (mean age 77±11, mean SBP 130±27 mmHg) enrolled for this analysis, only 5 (6%) received IV nitrates at the time of AHF admission. Forty (49%, mean age 77±11, mean SBP 131±27 mmHg) out of these eighty one patients met the guideline criteria for suitability for IV nitrates and only five (12%) of these received them during this admission. Patients who received IV nitrates were more likely to have higher blood pressure and all had myocardial ischaemia as a precipitant. Seventy-five (93%) of the total population received loop diuretics on admission. Overall, this study shows that loop diuretics remain the first line therapy in AHF with little use of IV nitrates, despite recommendations from clinical practice guidelines. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)247-252
    Number of pages6
    JournalCardiovascular Therapeutics
    Volume33
    Issue number4
    Early online date16 May 2015
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2015

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