Turkish registry for diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure: TAKTIK study

OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to develop a national database of patients hospitalized in Turkey with acute heart failure (AHF) using evaluations of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

METHODS
Patient data was collected using an Internet-based survey. Total of 588 patients were enrolled from 36 participating medical centers from across the country.

RESULTS
Mean age was 62±13 years and 38% of the patients were female. Ratio of de novo AHF to study cohort was 24%. Coronary heart disease and hypertension were found in 61% and 53% of the patients, respectively. Valvular heart disease was underlying cause in 46% of heart failure patients. Most frequent factor associated with decompensation was noncompliance with treatment, observed in 34% of patients. Systolic blood pressure was 125±28 mmHg and heart rate was 93±22 beats/minute in the cohort. Most common findings on physical examination were inspiratory fine crackles (84%), peripheral edema (64%), and cold extremities in 34%. Mean ejection fraction (EF) measured at admission was 33±13%. Preserved EF (≥%40) was present in 20% of patients. At admission, 60%, 46%, and 40% of patients were using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, or aldosterone antagonist, respectively. Death, stroke, and myocardial infarction were reported with frequency of 3.4%, 1.6%, and 2%, respectively, as in-hospital events.

CONCLUSION
Compared to some other research data collected around the world, AHF patients in Turkey were younger, more frequently had valvular heart disease as underlying cause, and were more noncompliant with medical treatment, but overall mortality was lower. Drugs shown to reduce mortality, and which also form the backbone of guideline-directed medical therapy, are still used inadequately.