Effectiveness of Heart Failure Checklist Management in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: An Open-Label, Single-Center Controlled Study During 18 Months of Follow-Up.

Background: The efficacy of chronic heart failure (CHF) checklist management in reducing adverse outcomes of heart failure patients is still uncertain. This study explores whether CHF checklist management is more useful than usual care in reducing adverse health outcomes in the medium- and long-term among CHF patients.

Methods: In our prospective study, 132 patients with CHF were randomly assigned to CHF management group and usual care group by random number method. Patients in CHF management group were conducted through CHF checklist by cardiologists and general practitioner. Patients assigned to usual care were treated by non-stationary medical group without checklist. All groups were followed up for 18 months.

Results: There was no significant difference in overall mortality rate between management group and control group during 18 months (12.3% [8/65] vs. 11.7% [7/60], P = 0. 912]). The re-hospitalization rate of heart failure in management group (18.5% [12/65]) was significantly lower than that in usual care group (38.3% [23/60]) after 18 months of follow-up (P = 0.013). Median NT-proBNP level (632.3 ng/l vs. 1678 ng/l, p = 0.004) was lower in management group than that in usual care group. Cardiac ultrasonography was performed at 18 months between the management and usual care group. LVEDD (55.88±7.11 mm vs. 60.92±8.06 mm) and LVESD (43.25±8.42mm vs. 48.41± 9.02mm) were decreased (P<0.01). LVEF was increased (45.36±10.64% vs. 39.96 ±10.15%, P<0.01). The utilization rate of ACEI/ARB/ARNI, β-blocker were high in management group.

Conclusion: CHF checklist management by cardiologists and general practitioners can significantly reduce the re-hospitalization and improve cardiac function. CHF management through heart failure checklist may improve prognosis in patients with CHF in the medium- and long-term.