The ACC has launched a new program, Transform HF Care: New Horizons in Treatment, to educate clinicians on the latest advances, medications and interventions emerging in heart failure (HF) management and treatment. The program, made possible by support from Bayer, aims to ensure the prompt and evidence-based use of the latest HF therapies to improve outcomes among individuals with HF.

"Managing HF can be complex. The different subtypes and often present comorbidities, like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure, can delay diagnosis and complicate treatment plans. Certain types of HF also disproportionately impact certain patient populations, including women and Black and Hispanic patients, many of which have higher rates of hospitalization and readmission," said Melvin Echols, MD, MSCR, FACC, program co-chair and ACC’s chief health equity advancement and inclusion officer. "There is no one-size-fits-all answer to managing HF. Educating clinicians on the latest therapies for HF prevention and treatment is essential for comprehensive care that is tailored to each patient's individual disease."

Through the 18-month program, clinicians will receive the necessary education to ensure prompt and evidence-based use of HF therapies and improve outcomes among patients with HF. The program will include education focused on:

• Disease state basics, including trends in incidence, underlying drivers, prevalence in different racial and ethnic groups and sexes, and optimizing treatment for patients with comorbidities.
• Diagnostic competencies, including classifying different phenotypes – HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) – recognizing HF symptoms, and using AI and algorithms to more accurately confirm HF.
• Practical implementation, including following guideline-directed medical therapy for HFmrEF and HFpEF, recent evidence on the benefits of finerenone and SGLT2i therapy, and understanding new treatment options (vs. standard therapies) and how to incorporate them into the treatment paradigm.

"Awareness of the latest therapies can significantly improve patient outcomes. Effective management can lead to reduced symptoms, fewer hospitalizations, prolonged life and better quality of life for patients with HF," said Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, program co-chair. "When clinicians are well-informed about therapies, they can better educate and involve patients in their treatment decisions, fostering a collaborative approach to care that can improve adherence and outcomes."