Pharmacists' role in the care of patients with heart failure: Review and future evolution

摘要

Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 5 million Americans.1 Whether the problem is chronic HF or acute management of patients with episodes of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), HF has proven to be a huge economic burden, with annual direct and indirect health care costs currently exceeding $34.4 billion.1 Annual incidence rates are continuing to climb, with current statistics revealing 550,000 new cases every year, in addition to significant morbidity and mortality rates associated with multiple rehospital-ization.1 HF patients, even if stable and compliant with their current HF medication regimen, can quickly transition to an acute decompensated state at any time.