Overview

Despite evidence-based interventions to prevent or manage heart failure (HF), poor HF-related outcomes persist as evidenced by the number of preventable HF-related hospitalizations and high readmission rates. Moreover, the economic burden that HF places on the health care system is significant and is projected to rise as the population ages and survival improves. To address these issues, pharmacists can improve adherence to guideline recommendations for the use of intravenous (IV) iron therapy for patients with HF and iron deficiency (ID) and develop treatment pathways and implement formulary strategies that make IV iron available to patients.

This educational activity is designed for hospital and managed care pharmacists.

Heart failure (HF) continues to be a global epidemic with high morbidity and mortality, considerable healthcare costs, and hospital admissions and readmissions. Iron deficiency (ID), irrespective of the presence of anemia, is a common comorbidity in patients with HF that can lead to worsening of HF symptoms and decreased quality of life. Yet, overall awareness of ID in HF is low. A diagnosis of ID in patients with HF can be challenging with new recommendations calling for monitoring of ID more frequently and more broadly, not just at the time of a HF diagnosis. ID in the HF setting is also undertreated despite guideline recommendations and accumulating data on the benefits of intravenous (IV) iron repletion. Administration of IV iron across providers and hospital and outpatient settings requires collaboration and coordination. Pharmacists can play a key role in identifying at-risk patients, mitigating barriers to use, improving treatment adherence, and outlining the benefits versus risks to support formulary management of IV iron formulations, reduce hospital readmissions, and improve patient outcomes.

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

• Interpret clinical data of intravenous iron repletion for the treatment of iron deficiency in HF patients
• Outline strategies to facilitate the use of IV iron for ID in HF patients based on the current evidence, guideline recommendations and patient reported outcomes
  
• Discuss the full clinical and economic impact of IV iron in patients with both chronic and acute HF beyond the effects on hospitalization and mortality
• Identify the role of the managed care pharmacist in the transitions of care for patients with ID and anemia in HF to ensure appropriate use and monitoring of parenteral iron

Module #1: Overview of Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure & Recognizing Iron Deficiency (15 mins)
Module #2: Treatment of Iron Deficiency Across the Heart Failure Spectrum (19 mins)
Module #3: Practical Approaches to IV Iron Administration (21 mins)
Module #4: Cases and Panel Discussions (20 mins)
Module #5: Question & Answer Highlights (5 mins)

Provided by the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL).

Supported by an educational grant from American Regent, Inc.   

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