Medication optimization clinic decreases hospitalizations and mortality for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Study objective

To evaluate the impact of a medication optimization clinic (MOC) on GDMT and outcomes for patients with HFrEF versus usual care.

Design

Retrospective evaluation of a multi-site MOC was conducted.

Setting

Large health system with academic and community hospitals.

Participants

Patients with HFrEF referred to MOC by their cardiologist versus usual care.

Interventions

GDMT use managed by an advanced practice provider or clinical pharmacist through weekly telemedicine visits.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was HF hospitalization. Cardiovascular hospitalization and all-cause mortality were also assessed. Kaplan−Meier Curve, Cumulative Incidence Function, and competing risk analysis with regression models were conducted.

Results

1419 patients in MOC group were compared to 5116 control patients. GDMT use was significantly higher in MOC: quadruple therapy (49 % vs. 19 %; p < 0.0001), angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitor (62 % vs. 45 %; p < 0.0001), beta blocker (92 % vs. 88 %; p < 0.0001), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (69 % vs. 45 %; p < 0.0001), and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (68 % vs. 35 %; p < 0.0001). Competing risk analyses showed that HF and CV hospitalizations were significantly lower at all times points (3, 6, and 12 months) for MOC vs. control (p < 0.001). All-cause mortality was significantly lower at 6 months (p = 0.006) and 12 months (p < 0.001), but did not differ at 3 months (p = 0.35), for MOC vs. control.

Conclusions

MOC was associated with improved GDMT and lower risks of hospitalizations due to HF and any cardiovascular cause, and all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF.