Clinical profile and management of outpatients with non-ischemic and non-hypertensive systolic heart failure: Analysis of the Polish DATA-HELP registry.

BACKGROUND

Although coronary artery disease and arterial hypertension are the most common etiologies underlying heart failure (HF), there are still many patients present with non-ischemic and non-hypertensive HF whose management remains very challenging. In this research study the clinical profile and applied treatment of patients with HF without coronary artery disease or hypertension versus patients with known etiology of HF (ischemic/hypertensive) were compared.

METHODS

Clinical data about 5563 patients with stable systolic HF were obtained from prospective multicenter DATA-HELP registry performed between October and December 2009 in ambulatory clinics in Poland, in which 500 cardiologists and 290 general practitioners participated.

RESULTS

Heart failure of non-ischemic and non-hypertensive etiology which affected 10% of all patients and was particularly frequent in younger patients, both in women: < 50 years old 42%; 50-65 years old 12%; > 65 years old 7%; and men: < 50 years old 47%; 50-65 years old 10%; > 65 years old 5%; p < 0.0001. Patients with non-ischemic and non-hypertensive HF were characterized by younger age, fewer co-morbidities, shorter duration of HF and, surprisingly, more advanced HF. Patients in this group were less likely to have received life-prolonging treatment in HF recommended by European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and more often required symptomatic management. Similarly, they were more likely to have implanted CRT-D and ICD.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure of non-ischemic and non-hypertensive origin affects particularly young patients. These patients, despite suffering from more advanced HF are not optimally managed according to ESC guidelines.