According to the CHAMP-HF registry, what is a major reason for frequent hospital admissions in patients with HFrEF?

The answer highlighting suboptimal use of evidence-based therapies as recommended in current guidelines is rooted in the findings of the CHAMP-HF registry, which indicates that many patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are not receiving optimal medical therapy. This situation often occurs despite the availability of effective treatments that can significantly improve morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Patients with HFrEF benefit from specific medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, as backed by strong evidence in clinical trials. However, the registry emphasizes that many individuals are either not prescribed these medications at all or are not on the appropriate dosages. Such suboptimal management leads to inadequate control of the disease, contributing to worsening symptoms and increased hospitalizations.

In contrast, while poor lifestyle behaviors and issues with managing comorbidities can indeed affect patient outcomes and contribute to hospital admissions, they are often secondary to the lack of proper pharmacotherapy that is clearly indicated in clinical practice guidelines. Additionally, combination therapy may not be as impactful as ensuring the baseline evidence-based agents are utilized effectively. Thus, addressing the lack of adherence to recommended medications plays a crucial role in improving outcomes and reducing hospital admissions for patients with HFr