Primary outcomes

Heart failure patients currently have high rates of readmission and mortality after discharge

The burden of heart failure

64.3 million adults suffer from heart failure1

1 in 4 patients are re-admitted within 30 days of discharge1,2,3

About 1 in 2 patients are re-admitted within 6 months4

More than 1 in 2 patients die within 5 years with survival rates worse than:

  • colon cancer
  • breast cancer
  • prostate cancer1

What are the challenges of post-discharge management?

Majority of heart failure patients are not closely monitored or treated with optimal doses of GDMT5-11 after acute heart failure admission.

ACEis, ARBs, MRAs and beta-blockers showed to improve survival rates.12

Factors influencing limited adherence to GDMT (Guideline Directed Medical Therapy).13

Physician:
  1. Lack of awareness
  2. Focus on treating symptoms
  3. Fear of adverse effects
Patient:
  1. Age
  2. Frailty and sensitivity
  3. Intolerance and contraindications
Non-medical:
  1. High costs
  2. Limited access

STRONG-HF primary outcomes show significant reduction of all cause death or acute heart failure readmissions

Study Design

1,078
patients enrolled
out of planned 1800†
18-85
years old
87
hospital
14
countries

†Monitoring board of the study recommended to terminate the study early as it was considered unethical to continue with usual care.

*ACEi/ARB, ARNi, BB, or MRA; **NT-proBNP criteria for persistent congestion ACEi, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; AHF, acute heart failure; ARB, angiotensin receptor blockers; BB, beta blockers; GDMT, guideline-directed medical therapy; HF, heart failure; MRA, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide

Measuring NT-proBNP biomarker levels is an integral part of the treatment strategy in STRONG-HF.

Results

The high intensity care group: 34% relative and 8.1% absolute risk reduction (ARR) in the combination of death or heart failure readmission.14

CV (cardiovascular) death
26% lower
HF readmission
44% lower
All-cause death
16% lower
STRONG-HF study results demonstrated clear benefits for acute heart failure patients by adapting the strategy of care.