ACC, AHA release guideline for treating heart failure

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have expanded the clinical practice guideline for managing patients with heart failure. The guideline updates definitions and classifications for heart failure and increases emphasis on patient-centric outcomes such as quality of life, shared decision making, care coordination, transitions, and palliative care.

Specific diagnostic strategies addressed included laboratory diagnostic tests, noninvasive cardiac imaging, invasive evaluation, and detailed family histories with consideration for genetic screening where applicable. The full range of treatment interventions—including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta blockers, statins, device therapy, mechanical circulatory support systems, cardiac transplantation and surgical/percutaneous/transcatheter interventions—were considered.

Source: nurse.com