Management of heart failure (HF) has evolved over the past few years, prompting the American College of Cardiology (ACC) to release a 2021 Update to Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Optimization of Heart Failure Treatment to provide guidance and recommendations on clinical care of HF patients with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). New therapies for HFrEF have emerged that expand the arsenal for this patient population, particularly angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. However, use of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) is still suboptimal, and there is a need for pharmacists to assist in improving medication adherence. This podcast episode provides general practitioners an update on new evidence for pharmacotherapy and provides guidance on how to initiate GDMT in patients with HFrEF successfully in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
SPEAKERS
Sandeep Devabhakthuni, PharmD, BCCP is an associate professor at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and clinical pharmacy specialist at University of Maryland Medical Center. He practices in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation. He serves as Director of Postgraduate Training at University of Maryland. He serves as Immediate Past President of the Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacy and Chair for American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners’ Educational Steering Committee.
Tiffany Tsai, PharmD, BCACP is an ambulatory care pharmacist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy and PA Studies. After earning her PharmD from the University of Colorado, she completed her PGY-1 at VA Long Beach and an ambulatory care PGY-2 at Oregon State University. She remained at Oregon State for an additional clinical fellowship focused on cardiology and teaching.
Aaron Burton, PharmD, MBA, BCPS received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut and also holds a degree from the University of Auburn (MBA). He has held various professional roles including staff pharmacist, a clinical specialist role in internal medicine, Director of Pharmacy, and Assistant Professor. Throughout his career he has been involved in various SAGs within ASHP, and been an active member of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut ASHP State affiliates (PSHP and CSHP).