Decongestion strategies in patients presenting with acutely decompensated heart failure: A worldwide survey among physicians

Aims Decongestion strategies for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) characterized by volume overload differ widely. The aim of this independent international academic web-based survey was to capture the therapeutic strategies that physicians use to treat ADHF and to assess differences in therapeutic approaches between cardiologists versus non-cardiologists. Methods and results Physicians were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire, capturing anonymized data on physicians' characteristics and treatment preferences based on a hypothetical clinical scenario of a patient hospitalized with ADHF. A total of 641 physicians from 60 countries participated. A wide variation in the management of the patient was observed. There was conservative use of diuretics, i.e. only 7% started intravenous furosemide at a dose >= 2 times the baseline oral dose, and infrequent use of ultrasound in assessing congestion (20.4%). Spot urinary sodium was infrequently or never measured by >= 85% of physicians. A third considered a patient with ongoing oedema as being stabilized. There were significant differences between cardiologists and non-cardiologists in the management of ADHF, the targets for daily body weight loss and urine output, diuretic escalation strategies (66.3% vs. 40.7% would escalate diuresis by adding a thiazide) and assessment of response to treatment (27.0% vs. 52.9% considered patients with minimal congestion as stabilized). Conclusions There is substantial variability amongst physicians and between cardiologists and non-cardiologists in the management of patients with ADHF, with regard to clinical parameters used to tailor treatment, treatment goals, diuretic dosing and escalation strategies.

Automated summary

There is significant variability in the management of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) among physicians and between cardiologists and non-cardiologists. This includes differences in the use of diuretics, assessment of congestion, treatment goals, and response evaluation. Cardiologists tend to have different strategies and targets compared to non-cardiologists.