The ACC will be collaborating with Novartis on TRANSFORM HFrEF, a national study that will examine a redesigned outpatient experience to improve guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and outcomes for millions of patients with heart failure (HF).

The goal of TRANSFORM HFrEF will be to study the current landscape of GDMT for patients with HF and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and determine effective methods and models in outpatient settings to increase adherence to GDMT and improve quality of life. This six-month randomized registry trial aims to optimize GDMT and enhance patient engagement by redesigning the 20-minute outpatient appointment with interventions directed to both the patient and caregiver.

"The reasons for inadequate GDMT use may include clinician-based factors or patient-related factors," said James L. Januzzi Jr., MD, FACC, primary investigator for the trial and ACC Board of Trustees member. "Oftentimes in the 20-minute office visit, the clinician has numerous issues to consider and patients may not fully understand the impact of their treatment, resulting in less than optimal GDMT, which impacts the physical health of the patient and ultimately quality of life."

This research will leverage ACC and Veradigm's PINNACLE Registry, one of the largest outpatient cardiovascular clinical data registries in the world. It will provide tools that shift standard clinical interview and documentation requirements outside the doctor's appointment and provide innovative tools to build the patient and physician relationship through trust and shared goal setting.

"It is our hope that the insights and results gained from this research will advance HF care and create a new standard for effective approaches to increasing adherence and improving outcomes for heart failure patients," said David Platt, MD, VP, Medical Unit Head, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Novartis.

ACC Interim CEO Cathleen Gates notes that "HF is the No. 1 diagnosis leading to potentially preventable hospitalizations, especially among the elderly." She adds, "Advancing quality, equity and value of cardiovascular care is a strategic priority for the College, and programs like this help us to optimize HF patient treatment and care and outcomes."

Clinical Topics: Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies, Acute Heart Failure

Keywords: Heart Failure, Caregivers, Quality of Life, Outpatients, Patient Participation, Stroke Volume, Hospitalization, Registries, Physicians, Office Visits, Appointments and Schedules

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