An improved understanding of the characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with “Stage D” heart failure (HF) may improve patient outcomes. We conducted an analysis of the ADHERE LM to enhance this understanding.

ADHERE LM is a multicenter registry designed specifically to prospectively collect observational data on chronic Stage D HF. The findings were analyzed and compared to data from ADHERE CM, a multicenter registry designed to prospectively collect data on the entire spectrum of acute decompensated HF. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate data from all 1433 patients in ADHERE LM.

Compared to patients with acute decompensated HF, patients with chronic Stage D HF tended to be younger (69.6 vs 72.8 years), males (65% vs 49%), with hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia (65% vs 41%), and with coronary artery disease (73% vs 57%). In Stage D patients, use of intravenous diuretics (73%) and vasoactive agents (84%) was common. Kaplan-Meier–estimated 1-year survival was 71.9% (95% CI 69.3%-74.5%) and estimated 1-year freedom from hospitalization or death was 32.9% (95% CI 30.2%-35.6%).

Patients with Stage D HF are frequently males with dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease. Morbidity and mortality are high. Therapeutic decisions based on studies in HF patients with different characteristics may not be applicable; additional research is needed to determine optimal therapeutic regimens for these patients.