Clinical Question: What new evidence is available to guide heart failure (HF) management?
Background: New data has become available since the 2013 HF guidelines.
Study Design: A focused update.
Setting: Ongoing review of HF literature.
Dr. Joseph Sweigart
Synopsis: Beta-natriuretic peptide (BNP) is recommended to screen at risk patients (IIaB), on admission (IA), and prior to discharge (IIaB). The combination of ARB and neprilysin inhibitor (ARB-NI) is recommended in symptomatic patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who are tolerant of ACE inhibition (IB). For these patients, transitioning from ACE-inhibitor to the ARB-NI combination, valsartan-sacubitril significantly reduced hospitalization and mortality. Optimal dose and titration strategies remain unclear. ARB-NIs should not be used in patients with a history of angioedema (IIIC) or within 36 hours of receiving ACE-inhibitors (IIIB). Ivabradine, a selective inhibitor of the If current in the sinoatrial node, is recommended to reduce hospitalizations for patients with HFrEF with stable symptoms with resting sinus heart rate greater than or equal to 70 despite maximally-tolerated beta-blockade (IIaB). Intravenous iron replacement is recommended to improve function and quality of life for patients with symptomatic HF and iron deficiency (IIbB).
Bottom Line: Updates support use of BNP, ARB-NIs, ivabradine, and IV iron for HFrEF.
Citation: Yancy CW, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA focused update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: A report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on clinical practice guidelines and the heart failure society of America. Published online, 2017 Apr 28. Circulation. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000509.
Dr. Sweigart is an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky division of hospital medicine and Lexington VA Medical Center.