Keele Research Repository

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is less well understood than heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with greater diagnostic difficulty and management uncertainty. Aim: Our primary aim is to develop an optimised programme that is informed by the needs and experiences of people with HFpEF and healthcare providers. Design & Setting: This is a multi-site programme of research with three distinct work packages (WP). WP1 is a systematic review of heart failure disease management programmes tested in patients with HFpEF. WP2 has three components (a, b, c) that will enable us to understand the characteristics, needs, and experiences of people with HFpEF, their carers and healthcare providers. Qualitative enquiry (WP2a) with patients and providers will be conducted in three UK sites exploring patient and provider perspectives, with an additional qualitative component (WP2c) in one site to focus on transitions in care and carer perspectives. A longitudinal cohort study (WP2b) recruiting from four UK sites will allow us to characterize patients and observe their illness trajectory across one year of follow-up. Finally, WP3 will synthesize the findings and conduct work to gain consensus on how best to identify and manage this patient group. Methods: multi-method programme of research Results & Conclusions: HFpEF is often described as the greatest unmet need in cardiology. The OPTIMISE-HFpEF programme aims to address this need in primary care, arguably the most appropriate setting for managing HFpEF. Trial Registration: WP1 is registered on PROSPERO, WP2b is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03617848