ABSTRACT
Background To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population.Methods The pharmacological management of 677 patients (female 46.7%,75.5±11.6 years) with CHF was retrospectively analyzed.Results The use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and fl-blockers were 58.2%and 34.7%,respectively.Major reasons for non-use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs were hyperkalemia and elevated serum creatimne level.For patients who did not receive β-blockers,asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the main contraindications.Treatment at or above target dosages for ACE inhibitors/ARBs and β-blockers was low for each medication (40.3% and 28.9%,respectively).Conclusions Evidenced-based medical therapies for heart failure were under used in a rural patient population.Further studies are required to develop processes to improve the optimal use of heart failure medications.