A Portuguese expert panel position paper on the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction – Part II: Unmet needs and organization of care in Portugal

José Silva-Cardoso, Emília Moreira, Rachel Tavares de Melo, Pedro Moraes-Sarmento, Nuno Cardim, Mário Oliveira, Cristina Gavina, Brenda Moura, Inês Araújo, Paulo Santos, Marisa Peres, Cândida Fonseca, João Pedro Ferreira, Irene Marques, Aurora Andrade, Rui Baptista, Dulce Brito, Rui Cernadas, Jonathan dos Santos, Adelino Leite-MoreiraLino Gonçalves, Jorge Ferreira, Carlos Aguiar, Manuela Fonseca, Ricardo Fontes-Carvalho, Fátima Franco, Carolina Lourenço, Elisabete Martins, Hélder Pereira, Mário Santos, Joana Pimenta

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Abstract

In Portugal, a 15.2% prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was recently identified among those aged ≥50 years. HFpEF represents 90% of Portuguese heart failure patients. HFpEF management in Portugal is challenging due to patient heterogeneity, diagnostic and therapeutic complexity, and organizational constraints on the healthcare system. Considering the above, a panel of Portuguese experts convened to address HFpEF management within the national context. This was done in a two-paper set. This, the second paper, identifies unmet needs and suggests a set of measures to improve the current organization of HFpEF management in Portugal. Our purpose is to create a multidisciplinary integrated care system, ensuring a seamless connection between hospitals and primary care. Additionally, we propose a practical approach to the management of HFpEF, including a roadmap for screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment. The aim is to help clinicians improve HFpEF management throughout the disease trajectory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)291 - 302
JournalRevista Portuguesa de Cardiologia
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2025

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Follow-up
  • Heart failure
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
  • HFpEF
  • Organization of care
  • Referral
  • Roadmap
  • Screening
  • Treatment

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