The Integral Role of the Pharmacist in the Management of Chronic Worsening Heart Failure: A Look at Emerging Mechanisms of Action

Program Description

Patients with heart failure (HF) can be divided into 2 broad classifications: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Most cases of HFrEF are caused by ischemic heart disease or hypertension, but in around 20% to 30% of patients, the cause is not identified. The complex nature of HF is further exacerbated by the frequent occurrence of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities and polypharmacy experienced by the majority of patients with HF. Pharmacists are valuable members of the multidisciplinary team whose approach to long-term management of health-related impacts of chronic worsening of HFrEF can help improve patient quality of life. This activity will explore the potential biomarkers for HF that contribute to clinical diagnosis and prediction of prognosis for patients. Newly approved and emerging therapies for the treatment of chronic or worsening HF will be reviewed to assist pharmacists with clinical decision making for the initiation, titration, and monitoring of HF therapies for patients.

Target audience: Health-system and retail pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: August 10, 2022
Expiration date: August 10, 2023

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Examine the clinical burden of heart failure (HF) and the emerging role of biomarkers
• Analyze the most up-to-date efficacy and safety data of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators and cardiac myosin activators in the treatment of chronic worsening HF with reduced ejection fraction
• Illustrate the role of the pharmacist in making clinical recommendations and managing patients with chronic worsening HF with reduced ejection fraction