A groundbreaking treatment approach for heart failure in UK hospitals has shown promising results, cutting deaths by 62% and lowering the risk of rehospitalization by 30%.
Breakthrough Treatment for Heart Failure Saves Lives
The introduction of a new treatment approach for heart failure in British hospitals has shown promising results, cutting deaths by 62% and lowering the risk of rehospitalization by 30%. This innovative method, known as ‘rapid titration,’ involves giving patients larger doses of drugs at the start of their treatment, rather than waiting months.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
This can be due to various factors, such as coronary artery disease, 'high blood pressure' , or cardiomyopathy.
The condition affects over 6 million people in the United States alone and is a leading cause of hospitalization.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs.
Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and may involve medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
The Power of Rapid Titration
The approach is likened to how cancer patients are given a full dose of chemotherapy medication from the start of their treatment to improve their chances of recovery. By establishing patients on the recommended therapy for heart failure within two to three weeks, rather than nine to 12 months, hospitals can catch them before they get sick enough to need to come back into hospital.
‘This new way of treating patients is a total gamechanger that I never thought I’d see in my lifetime,’ said Matthew Sunter, lead heart failure nurse at St George’s hospital. ‘It will save many lives and bring hope to so many families.’
Global Trial Results
The global Strong-HF trial involved 87 hospitals in 14 countries and found that once patients were established on the recommended drugs, they reduced their chance of dying by 62% and their chances of rehospitalization for heart failure by 30%. This is a significant improvement over traditional treatment approaches.
‘Once we establish patients on those drugs, we reduce their chance of dying by 62% and their chances of rehospitalisation for heart failure by 30%. That is huge and means we can prevent avoidable deaths while easing the pressures on our hospital,’ said Matthew Sunter.
NHS Adoption
St George’s hospital in London has already begun treating patients with this innovative method, with plans to use it with 100 more cases a year. Morriston hospital in Swansea also plans to treat 500 people from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot using the approach this year.
Dr Parin Shah, consultant cardiologist at Morriston, said that while not everyone will be eligible for this treatment due to its intensity, it would benefit those who are considerably. ‘Not everyone will be able to tolerate such intensive treatment,’ he said. ‘We knew it would suit relatively few people, but it would benefit them considerably.’
Government Support
The government has announced its aim to reduce avoidable deaths caused by Britain’s biggest killers, including heart disease. The NHS is at the forefront of global medical innovation, and this breakthrough treatment showcases that commitment.
‘We commend the brilliant team at St George’s for this extraordinary breakthrough which showcases that the NHS is at the forefront of global medical innovation,’ said a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson.
