MedPath

Non-interventional Study on Guideline Directed Medical Therapy for Patients With Heart Failure (HF) in Germany

Recruiting
Conditions
Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart Failure, Systolic
Registration Number
NCT06675552
Lead Sponsor
AstraZeneca
Brief Summary

Heart failure (HF) is a global public health issue that affects more than 63 million people worldwide. The clinical and economic burden of HF on health care systems is substantial. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) represents approximately 50% of the HF patient population.The burden of HF is expected to increase substantially as the population ages, and despite improvements in treatment, hospitalisation and mortality rates remain especially high in HFrEF patients. The current guideline recommendation of directed medical therapy for HFrEF combines four drug classes with proven prognostic benefit: Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)/angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE I)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), betablockers (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). The 2023 ESC (European Society of Cardiology) HF guideline update additionally recommends a rapid in-hospital sequencing approach of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with frequent physician visits during the first 6 weeks post discharge. Studies investigating the implementation of GDMT in a real-world setting have shown that a significant proportion of patients did not receive the recommended drug combination therapy. Delayed initiation of GDMT contributes to the low number of patients receiving guideline concordant HFrEF therapy, which ultimately may affect patient outcomes. One approach to implement the 2023 ESC guideline updates for heart failure treatment regarding early in-hospital initiation and rapid up-titration of GDMT could be to provide specific training on GDMT recommendations. Such a standardised training is offered to the physicians treating HF patients within selected hospitals of the German Helios hospital network (Helios-GDMT-program). Evidence is needed in order to assess whether in-hospital initiation and up-titration of all phenotype concordant classes of GDMT at hospital discharge can be observed after standardised physician training and whether the GDMT-program implementation also translates into real-world routine outpatient care with respect to use of GDMT and clinical outcomes.

Detailed Description

The overall aim of PHRASE-HF is to evaluate the use of GDMT at hospital discharge, the translation of in-hospital implementation and possible maximisation of phenotype-based GDMT into real-world routine outpatient care, HF symptoms, patient reported outcomes (PROs), clinically relevant outcomes (e.g. rehospitalisation, mortality), use of diuretics and concomitant drug classes in patients admitted for in-hospital treatment of HFrEF to sites trained within the Helios-GDMT-program. The analyses will primarily be done in a total study population, and as defined by exploratory objectives in subgroups of interest.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
438
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent
  • Hospitalised in a participating site and receiving full inpatient treatment (at least 24h hospital stay)
  • Diagnosis of HFrEF according to the current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) with a left ventricular EF of ≤40% (as measured per echocardiography during the index hospital stay or within 3 months prior to index hospitalisation with available reports from imaging (ejection fraction) at the time of study inclusion)
  • Treated with a maximum of 2 of the indicated drug classes (ACE-I/ARNI/ARB, BB, MRA, SGLT2i) according to guideline recommendation (GDMT) at admission.
  • Signed and dated written informed consent prior to enrolment in the study
  • Willing and capable to fulfil requirements listed in the ICF
Exclusion Criteria
  • Initial presentation (index hospitalisation) in cardiogenic shock or other kinds of shock
  • Status post heart transplantation
  • History of intolerance to one or more GDMT drug classes (ACE-I/ARNI/ARB, BB, MRA, SGLT2i) or significant side effects that led to the discontinuation of two or more substances within one drug class (except from ACE-I/ARB, e.g., if 2 different ACE inhibitors triggered cough, but sartans are tolerated, then the patient is not excluded)
  • Current or planned participation in a clinical trial
  • Decision by the investigator that the participant should not participate in the study if the participant is unlikely to comply with study procedures
  • Pregnancy or breast-feeding

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients treated with HFrEF GDMTBaseline to hospital discharge, on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline

Proportion of patients treated with phenotype-concordant guideline-recommended HF drug classes and the corresponding doses as noted in patients electronic medical records

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of recommended HF-drug classesBaseline to hospital discharge, on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline

The HF-drug classes including the corresponding doses that are recommended in discharge letter at hospital discharge

Change of percentage in HFrEF GDMTBaseline to 12 months

The percentage of patients who are newly initiated on guideline-directed HFrEF medical therapy

Change of phenotype-concordant guideline-recommended HF drug classesHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 12 months

The number of patients with change in phenotype-concordant guideline- recommended HF drug classes

Reasons for GDMT adjustmentsHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 12 months

The reasons for guideline-directed medical therapy changes as noted in patients electronic medical records will be described as the number and proportion of patients who experienced adjustment in guideline-directed medical therapy according to each reasons presented

Reasons for not having guideline-recommended drug classes or dosesHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 12 months

The reasons for not having maximal phenotype-concordant guideline-recommended HF drug classes as noted in patients electronic medical records will be described as the number and proportion of patients who are not having maximal GDMT drug classes according to each reasons presented

Number of outpatient post-discharge visitsHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 3 months

The number of outpatient visits for heart failure treatment within the first three months after hospital discharge

Proportion of patients conducting post-discharge visitsHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 3 months

Proportion of patients conducting post-discharge visits for heart failure treatment within the first three months after hospital discharge

Absolute change from baseline in NYHA classMeasured at 6 and 12 months

The NYHA classification is a regimen for the classification of heart failure into certain stages according to clearly defined criteria. Treatment of heart failure is usually based on the NYHA classification. Symptoms used to evaluate the stages include dyspnea, nocturia at night, cyanosis, general weakness and fatigue, angina pectoris or cold extremities, edema. NYHA-I: No limitation on resilience. Complete absence of symptoms or signs of exertion when heart disease is diagnosed; NYHA-II: Slight decrease in endurance. Freedom from discomfort during rest and with mild exertion, occurrence of symptoms with increased stress; NYHA-III: Severe limitation of resilience. Freedom from discomfort at rest, occurrence of symptoms even with mild exertion; NYHA-IV: Permanent symptoms, even during rest.

Change from Baseline in blood pressureBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients blood pressure as noted in patients electronic medical records /

Change from Baseline in heart rateBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients heart rate as noted in patients electronic medical records

Change from Baseline in electrolyte levelBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients electrolyte level as noted in patients electronic medical records

Change from Baseline in potassium levelBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients potassium level as noted in patients electronic medical records

Change from Baseline in estimated glomerular filtrations rateBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients estimated glomerular filtration rate as noted in patients electronic medical records

Change from Baseline in serum creatinine concentrationBaseline to 12 months

Changes in patients serum creatinine concentration as noted in patients electronic medical records

Number of rehospitalization for heart failureHospital Discharge (on average 6 days after hospitalization/baseline) to 12 months

The number of patients being rehospitalized for heart failure within the observational period

Overall SurvivalBaseline to 12 months

Number of patients who died during the observational period

CV-specific survivalBaseline to 12 months

Number of patients who died due to cardiovascular disease during observation period

Absolute change from baseline in Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS)-5 questionnaireMeasured at 6 and 12 months

The MARS-5 is five-item self-report adherence scale which assesses both intentional and non-intentional non-adherence. Respondents rate the frequency with which the five different medication-taking behaviours occur, scoring each item on a 1-5-point scale with higher scores indicating higher reported adherence. The MARS-5 has been shown to be reliable and valid across a variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Only applicable to Prospective cohort.

Absolute change from baseline in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scoreMeasured at 6 and 12 months

The KCCQ is a 23-item questionnaire that quantifies physical limitations, self-efficacy, social interference and quality of life. Summary scores will be examined at each assessment point during follow-up. For each of the assessment periods, descriptive statistics for the observed value, change from baseline and the 95% two-sided confidence interval for the mean change will be presented. The proportions of participants with overall health status classified as poor, fair, good, and excellent will be examined at each assessment point. Additionally, the proportions of participants who experience clinically meaningful changes in overall health status: improvement (≥5 point increase), deterioration (≥5 point decrease), and stable (\<5 point increase or decrease) will be examined at each assessment point. Only applicable to Prospective cohort

Absolute change from baseline in PROMIS Global Health 10Measured at 6 and 12 months

The PROMIS 10 is a validated comprehensive and accessible set of tools used to measure self-reported physical, mental and social health; including symptoms, function and general perceptions of health and wellbeing. The PROMIS 10 consists of ten items that measure physical health, physical functioning, general mental health, emotional distress, satisfaction with social activities and relationships, ability to carry out usual social activities and roles, pain, fatigue and overall quality of life.

Absolute change from baseline in the Nine-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)Measured at 6 and 12 months

HF is associated with depressive disorders and manifest depressions. The PHQ-9 that capture depressed mood and anhedonia has been validated as an ultra-brief screening tool with some evidence of responsiveness. The PHQ-9 score is obtained by adding the score for each question (total points). A PHQ-9 score ranges from 0-27, to determine whether they meet criteria for a depressive disorder.

Number of diuretics changesBaseline to 12 months

The number of patients who experience a switch in their diuretic medication drug class as noted in patients electronic medical record

Number of concomitant medication changesBaseline to 12 months

The number of patients who experience a switch in their concomitant medication drug class as noted in patients electronic medical record

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Research Site

🇩🇪

Wuppertal, Germany

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath