Aquapheresis Efficacy in Outpatients With Decompensated Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure, Decompensated Heart Failure, Heart Failure

Aquapheresis, Diuresis

With this research the Investigators hope to learn if early aquapheresis in an outpatient setting will improve congestive heart failure symptoms in outpatients with decompensated heart failure who have been refractory to high dose diuretics. In previous trials in inpatient settings, aquapheresis has been demonstrated to improve quality of life and reduce hospital visits for those who have undergone the treatment. This study is one of the first to evaluate the effectiveness of aquapheresis in veterans with congestive heart failure in an outpatient setting. The aquapheresis device, Aquadex FlexFlow® System, manufactured by CHF Solutions™, Minneapolis, MN, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for removing excess sodium and fluid from patients suffering from volume overload, like in congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects nearly 2% of the U.S. population, with almost 1 million hospital admissions for acute decompensated CHF annually. Congestive heart failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in patients over the age of 65. Patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have a high 6-month readmission rate for acute CHF, ranging from 23% to 40% in different studies. It is estimated that 25 to 30% of these patients are diuretic resistant with 50% of patients losing less than 5 lbs. from admission weight and 20% actually gaining weight during the hospitalization. Although loop diuretics have not been shown to improve survival in patients with CHF, they effectively alleviate symptoms of congestion. Diuretics have been part of standard CHF therapy in all recent survival trials of β-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Loop diuretics have been shown to be the most effective diuretics as single agents in moderate to severe heart failure. However, loop diuretics may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality attributable to deleterious effects on neurohormonal activation, electrolyte balance, and cardiac and renal function. Removal of excessive fluid in patients with CHF is usually achieved by a combination of fluid and salt restriction and loop diuretics, but in some cases volume overload persists. Diuretic resistance is common, especially after chronic exposure to loop diuretics; patients require escalating doses (PO or IV to bypass delayed absorption in gut due to bowel edema), addition of another diuretic that works on different part of renal tubules (i.e. Thiazides) +/- diuretic drip and, if still refractory, ultimately Aquapheresis (a form of ultrafiltration). Aquapheresis (AQ) compared to IV diuretics in the UNLOAD Trial (10), AQ safely produced greater weight loss, fluid removal, and reduction in 90-day readmission rate compared to IV diuretic. A meta-analysis of 10 randomized control trials (RCTs) showed AQ not only to be effective but safe. These observations suggest that a strategy of early ultrafiltration may improve responsiveness to diuretics, quicker weight loss, decrease hospitalization, readmission to hospital, ER or doctor visits with minimal risks. As result of these trials, American Hospital Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Heart Failure Society of American (HFSA) guidelines state it is reasonable to start Aquapheresis in patients with obvious volume overload or patients who are refractory to high dose diuretics (IIa, LOE B). Moreover, while this therapy is part of standard of care in an inpatient setting, many hospitals as a result of Affordable Care Act (ACA), have taken to AQ on an outpatient setting to further decrease the burden and attended cost associated with management of CHF. But the Investigators are unaware of any other prospective outpatient studies that have looked at the outcomes and cost effectiveness of aquapheresis.

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