Heart Failure in the Emergency Department

Heart failure is a worldwide problem of epidemic proportions. More than 4.5 million Americans have heart failure and about 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.

One-third of known heart failure patients receive inpatient care each year, and at least 80% of emergency department presentations for heart failure are admitted to the hospital. Recent studies report a heart failure misdiagnosis rate of 18.5%, resulting in increased morbidity, increased LOS, and increased costs. Diagnosis is often difficult due to co-morbidities:

• COPD or Asthma: 31%
• Coronary Artery Disease: 57%
• Myocardial Infarction: 30%
• Diabetes: 44%
• Chronic Renal Insufficiency: 30%

ADHERE: Early Initiation of Vasoactive Therapy Improves Clinical Outcomes

The Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) was designed to provide hospitals and clinicians with data to improve the quality of care for patients with ADHF.  Data shown above suggest the earlier diagnosis and treatment in the ED results in better clinical outcomes and shorter lengths of stay, both of which help to lower the overall cost of care.