Is there benefit in optimising heart failure treatment in over-80 year-old patients? (HF-80 study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

摘要

BackgroundAn aging population and better management of various heart diseases explain the exponential growth in incidence and prevalence of chronic heart failure, with poor prognosis and heavy health costs. Medical management is codified in international guidelines. The management of heart failure in over-80 year-old patients follows these guidelines, but no clinical trials have been able to confirm benefit. Moreover, registries show down-prescription of heart failure treatments in the elderly and over-80s.