Heart Failure
NHS Improvement has published this resource to support the implementation of the NICE chronic heart failure quality standard
It is a compilation of information, evidence, guidance and case studies and is suitable for clinicians, managers, service improvement teams and commissioners.
Click on the diagram on the right, or the tabs above to access the resource.
If you have any comments, feedback or additional information, please email Suzanne Whyman or tel: 0116 222 1415.
Latest news
National Heart Failure Audit Public and Patient Report published
This is the first National Heart Failure Audit report produced specifically for heart failure patients and members of the public with an interest in heart failure. It is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about the treatment of heart failure in England and Wales. It is written for people with little or no previous knowledge of heart failure or clinical audit.
This report contains information about the audit and presents selected findings from the National Heart Failure Audit 2011/12 Annual Report, which covers the period between April 2011 and March 2012. The Annual Report, which was published on 27th November 2012, is aimed at clinicians and hospital managers, and contains more detailed findings from this period.
National Heart Failure Audit 2011/12 Annual Report published
The National Heart Failure Audit 2011/12 Annual Report was published on 27 November 2012.
The report, which collected data on 37,076 heart failure admissions over the period 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012, supports analysis from previous years. In particular, it continues to highlight that access to specialist cardiology input and the prescription of recommended treatments are associated with prolonged survival and better outcomes for heart failure patients.
This year is the first time that hospital level analysis on clinical practice has been published, which it is hoped will spur hospitals to improve their clinical practice and to accurately record this through the National Heart Failure Audit.
Download the report
New guidelines
The European Society of Cardiology has published the latest update to its guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. There are several changes to the recommendations since the 2008 guidelines, taking into account newer evidence and changes in technology and drugs. This includes changes to the recommendations around cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), with an indication for CRT in patients with mild symptoms. Patients with left bundle branch block QRS complexes and those in sinus rhythm are identified as having the most benefit from CRT, while the benefits are less certain in patients with atrial fibrillation.