Basic action protocol for the outpatient management of chronic heart failure of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine

Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents a challenge for the healthy system due to its high prevalence, high burden of morbidity and mortality, and high consumption of health resources. To address this problem, it is necessary to develop efficient management strategies that include both hospital care and outpatient care. The primary objective is to stabilize the patient and prevent decompensation, with the consequent improvement in quality of life, reduction in hospital admissions and emergency department care, and, consequently, reduction in healthcare costs. In this context, the heart failure and atrial fibrilation working group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine has developed a protocol for the management of outpatient CHF, that addresses, from the perspective of Internal medicine, all the problems suffered by the patient with CHF. This protocol aims to optimize pharmacological treatment, control cardiovascular risk factors and various comorbidities, educate the patient and their environment about the disease, promote adherence to treatment and stablish follow-up adapted to their condition.

Keywords: Care management; Gestión asistencial; Heart failure; Insuficiencia cardiaca; Outpatient follow-up protocol; Protocolo de seguimiento ambulatorio.