[Clinical characteristics, treatment and short-term morbidity and mortality of patients with heart failure followed in heart failure clinics. Results of the BADAPIC Registry].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Despite recent improvements in therapy, heart failure is still associated with high mortality and hospitalization rates. New management strategies such as heart failure clinics could help to improve this situation. PATIENTS AND METHOD We analyzed the clinical features, treatment, morbidity and mortality of 3909 patients with heart failure followed at 62 heart failure clinics in Spain in the last 3 years (BADAPIC Registry). Mean follow-up time was 13 +/- 4 months. RESULTS Mean age was 66 +/- 12 years (40% of the patients were older than 70 years), and 67% were male. Etiology was ischemic heart disease in 41% of the cases, systemic hypertension in 19%, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 17%, valvular disease in 17% and other in the remaining 6%. Left ventricular ejection fraction was < 45% in 68% of the patients. After inclusion in the BADAPIC Registry, 86% of the patients received diuretics, 37% received digoxin, 87% were given angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, 32% received spironolactone, 59% received beta blockers and 28% were given nitrates. Actuarial survival at 24 months was 87%, admission-free survival was 80% and event-free survival was 76%. Survival was similar in men and women, higher in patients younger than 70 years (P<.05), and slightly higher in those with left ventricular ejection fraction > 45% (P=.08). CONCLUSIONS The treatment received by patients included in the BADAPIC Registry closely approached the recommended standards. Their short-term survival rate was very high.