Rationale and design of the French Observatory of Acute Heart Failure (OFICA2)

Abstract

Background

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality – especially in patients aged ≥ 65 years in high-income countries – and represents a high healthcare burden. In the past decade, the epidemiology and management of heart failure (HF) has changed, with the emergence of new medical and interventional therapeutics, but up-to-date real-life data are scarce.

Aims

The main objectives are to describe baseline characteristics (with an emphasis on lifestyle, cognitive status, HF knowledge and treatment adherence), management, and in-hospital and mid-term outcomes of AHF patients in France. Secondary objectives are to investigate determinants of prognosis, modalities of treatment and follow-up, and identify gaps between guidelines and real-life management.

Methods

OFICA2 is a prospective multicentre observational survey that enrolled 1513 patients hospitalized for AHF in 80 participating centres in France during March and April 2021. The diagnosis of AHF was made according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines definition. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, health coverage and consent to participate. Detailed information was collected prospectively starting at admission. Thanks to direct linking with the French National Health Database, the anteriority up to 2 years before inclusion, as well as a 3-year follow-up is specified for each patient and includes individual information on death, hospital admissions, major clinical events, drug delivery and use of reimbursed health resources.

Conclusion

This cohort provides a representative snapshot on contemporary AHF, with a particular focus on self-care determinants, and will improve knowledge about AHF presentation, management and outcomes.