Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesRandomised controlled trial
Primary care Adherence to Heart failure guidelines in post-discharge, evaluation & routine management (PATHFINDER): a randomized controlled trial
- randomized controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
Hospital-based support for HF-management in primary care improved adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological components of guideline-recommended care. Greater implementation of transitional care processes of this nature has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients with HF.
Study context
- Population
- Patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF)25% female
- Participants
- 225 patients
- Comparison
- multifaceted intervention vs usual care
- Primary endpoint
- adherence to five recommended treatments: (i) ACEI/ARB/ARNI ≥50% target dose, (ii) beta blocker ≥50% target dose, (iii) MRA at any dose, (iv) anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, and (v) CR referral
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Unadjusted odds ratio
6.27
95% CI 3.35–11.76
P < 0.01
By group
intervention group vs control group
unadjusted odds ratio 6.27 (95% CI 3.35–11.76); P < 0.01
Further findings
Drivers of the difference
- higher prescription rates of ACEI/ARB/ARNI and beta blocker, and higher referral rates to cardiac rehabilitation (CR)
Original publication
Primary care Adherence to Heart failure guidelines in post-discharge, evaluation & routine management (PATHFINDER): a randomized controlled trial. ESC Heart Fail. Published 23 February 2026. doi:10.1093/eschf/xvag061
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it