The incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF) increase with age. After an hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF), the risk of readmission is high, especially in elderly population. Medication reconciliation secures the management of patient during their hospitalization, particularly at the entry and discharge, source of iatrogeny. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of medication reconciliation in rehospitalization of elderly HF patients.

We conducted a prospective, mono-centric, exposed-unexposed, cohort study within an acute cardiogeriatrics department. In the exposed group, patients with AHF received medication reconciliation, in partnership with clinical pharmacist, within 72hours of admission, combined, as far as possible, with medication reconciliation within 48hours before discharge.

Between February 2019 and February 2020, 76 patients have benefited from medication reconciliation. 60 patients (22 males, median age 87 years) were analyzed, 28 received entry and discharge medication reconciliation. 32% had a left ventricular ejection fraction <45%, and NT-proBNP median value was 2544(909–8167)pg/mL. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in any cardiovascular or geriatrics characteristics. In intermediary statistical analyses, 12 patients (57%) in the exposed group and 18 patients (90%) in the control group were readmitted in the hospital within 90 days of discharge (P=0.018); 7 patients (33%) in the control group and 8 patients (42%) in the exposed group were readmitted for AHF (P=0.57) (Table 1).

In a population of elderly HF patients, the rate of 90-days all-cause readmissions was significantly lower when patients have received an entry and discharge medication reconciliation. Reassuring management of elderly HF patients, it will be necessary to perpetuate these multidisciplinary activities if the results are confirmed in the final analysis.