Abstract

THIERER, Jorge et al. Outpatient Handling of Chronic Heart Failure in Argentina: The OFFICE IC Study. Rev. argent. cardiol. [online]. 2006, vol.74, n.3, pp.109-116. ISSN 1850-3748.

Work Aim To identify the baseline characteristics and common diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of chronic heart failure treatment in Argentina. Research Design and Methods Survey of 241 argentine physicians (91.7% cardiologists) who provided data about chronic heart failure outpatients' clinical profile, studies and treatment. Results Data from 2201 patients (64.6% men, mean age 67.6±12 years) were obtained between June 2003 and March 2004. Fifty-eight percent had been admitted due to heart failure in the two previous years, and 73.5% showed a functional class I-II. Ischemia (40.5%) and hypertension (23.7%) were the predominant etiologies. Ventricular function was identified in 88.5% of the patients (moderate to severe dysfunction in more than 70%). Digitalis was prescribed in 33% of the patients, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors- angiotensin II antagonists in 92.2%, beta-blockers in 70% and spironolactone in 61.7%. Etiology, ventricular function, medical insurance status and concomitant treatment were all predictors of neurohormonal antagonists prescription. Conclusions The patients in this study are similar to those of other population studies, with a prevalence of men and hypertensive ischemic etiology. Most of the patients showed systolic dysfunction. A high proportion of patients underwent treatment according to present day standards.

Keywords : Chronic heart failure; Ambulatory; Treatment; Neurohormonal antagonists.