Differences in the Approach to Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Survey of Cardiologists, Internists, and Pharmacists.

Introduction: Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) has significantly improved outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, GDMT prescribing remains suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to survey cardiologists, internists, and pharmacists on their approach to GDMT prescribing.

Differences in provider approach to initiating and titrating guideline directed medical therapy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Despite the strong evidence supporting guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), prescription rates in clinical practice are still lacking.

Methods: A survey containing 20 clinical vignettes of patients with HFrEF was answered by a national sample of 127 cardiologists and 68 internal/family medicine physicians. Each vignette had 4-5 options for adjusting GDMT and the option to make no medication changes.

Patient self-assessment of urine dipsticks to estimate sodium intake in patients with hypertension.

Background & Aims: Dietary sodium restriction is recommended by current guidelines to reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Current methods to assess sodium intake such as dietary questionnaires and 24-h urine collection are cumbersome, and the results are not readily available to patients. In this analysis, we evaluated using chloride and creatinine dipsticks as a convenient method to monitor sodium intake, in addition to patients' ability to practice this method independently.