Multidisciplinary strategies for the management of heart failure patients at high risk for admission: a systematic review of randomized trials.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether multidisciplinary strategies improve outcomes for heart failure (HF) patients.

Background: Because the prognosis of HF remains poor despite pharmacotherapy, there is increasing interest in alternative models of care delivery for these patients.

Methods: Randomized trials of multidisciplinary management programs in HF were identified by searching electronic databases and bibliographies and via contact with experts.

The current cost of heart failure to the National Health Service in the UK.

We have recently shown that heart failure admission rates continue to increase in the UK -- particularly in older age groups. As hospital activity represents the major cost component of health care expenditure related to heart failure, this study evaluated the current cost of this syndrome to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. We applied contemporary estimates of health care activity associated with heart failure to the whole UK population on an age and sex-specific basis to calculate its cost to the NHS for the year 1995.