Introduction: A New Educational Era in Heart Failure Care
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is launching Transformation of HF Care: New Horizons in Treatment, an 18-month program designed to equip clinicians with the latest advances in heart failure (HF) management. As the disease remains a leading cause of hospitalization and increasingly affects diverse populations, this initiative aims to translate cutting-edge research into prompt, evidence-based care that can improve patient outcomes.
Understanding Heart Failure and Its Subtypes
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot fill properly or pump effectively enough to meet the body’s needs. More than 6 million Americans live with HF, and the prevalence is expected to rise. About 1 million HF-related hospitalizations occur annually, and HF is the leading cause of hospitalization among adults aged 65 and older. HF is a chronic, progressive disease, but rapid advances in treatment offer hope through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, devices, and cardiac rehabilitation when needed.
HF is categorized into subtypes that require tailored treatment:
– HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
– HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)
– HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
Each phenotype has unique considerations for pharmacologic therapy and device interventions, underscoring the need for precise diagnosis and individualized care plans.
The Challenge of Diagnosis and Real-World Barriers
Managing HF is complex, often complicated by comorbidities such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. These factors can delay diagnosis and impede optimal treatment initiation. Disparities also exist: women and Black and Hispanic patients experience higher rates of hospitalization and readmission. The program emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to HF; instead, clinicians must tailor strategies to each patient’s disease trajectory, comorbid conditions, and social determinants of health.
Program Goals: Education That Drives Practice Change
Through 18 months of targeted education, Transformation of HF Care seeks to:
– Reinforce disease state basics, including trends in incidence, drivers, and prevalence across sexes and racial/ethnic groups.
– Improve diagnostic competencies to classify HF phenotypes accurately, recognize symptoms, and leverage AI and algorithms to confirm HF with greater precision.
– Support practical implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy for HFmrEF and HFpEF while highlighting new evidence on the benefits of finerenone and SGLT2 inhibitors.
– Help clinicians understand how to integrate novel therapies and devices into existing care paradigms, ensuring that patients receive timely, evidence-based treatment.
The program also focuses on equity, acknowledging that achieving better HF outcomes requires addressing barriers to access and ensuring diverse patient populations benefit from advances in care.
Clinical Leadership and Real-World Impact
Melvin Echols, MD, MSCR, FACC, co-chair of the program and ACC’s chief health equity advancement and inclusion officer, emphasizes that education drives better patient outcomes. As clinicians stay informed about emerging therapies, they can engage patients in shared decision-making, enhancing adherence and the overall effectiveness of treatment. Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, adds that informed clinicians are better positioned to tailor therapy to individual needs, improving symptom relief, reducing hospitalizations, and prolonging quality of life for people living with HF.
What to Expect from the 18-Month Program
Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge on disease fundamentals, phenotype differentiation, and the practical steps needed to implement new therapies. The curriculum covers:
- Clinical phenotyping and symptom recognition, with an emphasis on HFpEF, HFrEF, and HFmrEF.
- Guideline-directed medical therapy updates and how to apply them in diverse patient populations with comorbidities.
- Recent evidence supporting finerenone and SGLT2 inhibitors, and the real-world implications of these treatments.
- Strategies for incorporating new therapies into patient-centered care, including shared decision-making and patient education.
Partnership and Funding
The program’s development is supported by Bayer, enabling ACC to deliver education that can translate into meaningful improvements in HF care nationwide. The collaboration seeks to advance standard-of-care practices while maintaining a strong focus on equity and patient-centered outcomes.
Conclusion: A Clear Path Forward for HF Care
Awareness of the latest therapies can significantly improve patient outcomes. Effective management can lead to reduced symptoms, fewer hospitalizations, longer survival, and a better quality of life for patients with HF. By educating clinicians about the newest tools in their therapeutic arsenal, Transformation of HF Care: New Horizons in Treatment aims to ensure that patients receive timely, evidence-based care, tailored to their unique disease presentation and life circumstances.
