Expert Opinion on the Identification and Pharmacological Management of Worsening Heart Failure

Abstract

Worsening heart failure (WHF) is a distinct under-diagnosed and under-treated condition, independent of location of care. Heart failure (HF) progression is punctuated by repeated WHF events, each resulting in reduced cardiac function. One-third of the patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction experience a decompensation event. These decompensation events often result in the emergency department visits and HF hospitalization. Despite its inclusion in recent guidelines, there is no precise definition of WHF or its various forms. It is worth noting that WHF signals a need for treatment optimization as per guideline-directed medical therapy and the addition of novel drugs like a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase that benefit this high-risk patient population. This practical document is based on the expert opinion of cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and physicians that discussed the definition, assessment, pharmacological management, and monitoring of WHF patients in a hospitalized setting. In addition, there is also a need for an expert opinion for the management of WHF in an outpatient setting.