Thanh Pho Dong Ha

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment approach called the VN-RAPID protocol for hospitalized Asian patients with acute heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial compares a high-intensity care plan, which involves starting and quickly increasing doses of four key heart failure medications, with usual care. The study focuses on patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels who are not yet on optimal heart failure medications and aims to reduce death or heart failure rehospitalization within 180 days after discharge. The high-intensity care group will begin all four types of heart failure medications—RAS inhibitors, beta-blockers, MRAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors—before leaving the hospital. They will receive a structured outpatient follow-up plan with at least four visits over six weeks to carefully increase medication doses, aiming for about 75% of target doses for RAS inhibitors and beta-blockers because of typically lower blood pressure in Asian patients. The usual care group will continue treatment as directed by their cardiologist, with follow-up visits scheduled accordingly. Participants will be monitored for 180 days after randomization, including two additional visits at 90 and 180 days to assess health outcomes. During outpatient visits, researchers will perform physical exams, check laboratory tests such as NT-proBNP, serum creatinine, and electrolytes, and evaluate signs of congestion. The main outcome measured is the combined rate of death from any cause or rehospitalization for heart failure within 180 days post-discharge, along with other heart function and safety assessments.