CONGRESS ABSTRACT

Background: Heart failure (HF) represents a significant clinical and economic burden, characterized by high rates of rehospitalization and mortality. Effective management requires a structured transition from acute care to specialized longitudinal follow-up. This abstract describes the organizational model of the Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic within the Cardiology and Intensive Coronary Care Unit (UTIC) at AORN Cardarelli (Naples, Italy). Materials and Methods: Patients are enrolled directly following an Emergency Department (ED) visit with a specialist cardiological consultation, or post-discharge from the Cardiology/UTIC ward. A mandatory clinical protocol is required for the first visit: patients must present a recent Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) and a comprehensive panel of blood tests, including NT-proBNP levels. The clinical workflow is designed to provide intensive monitoring, with follow-up appointments scheduled at 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month intervals, tailored to the clinical severity and hemodynamic stability of the individual patient. Results: The implementation of this structured model allows for the systematic titration of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT). By utilizing standardized entry criteria (TTE and NT-proBNP), the clinic facilitates immediate risk stratification. A key outcome of this organizational structure is the identification of candidates for non-pharmacological interventions. Patients with persistent low ejection fraction (EF < 35%) are channeled into dedicated pathways for the implantation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD) or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT-D/P). This proactive approach ensures that patients receive advanced device therapy at the optimal physiological window, potentially reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac death and worsening heart failure. Conclusions: The organizational model of the Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic at AORN Cardarelli demonstrates that a streamlined transition from acute to outpatient care is essential for high-quality HF management. By integrating rigorous clinical monitoring with standardized diagnostic requirements, the clinic effectively bridges the gap between hospital discharge and long-term stability. This model not only optimizes pharmacological treatment but also serves as a critical screening hub for life-saving device implantation, ultimately aiming to improve patient survival and quality of life in a high-volume tertiary care setting.