Abstract
Introduction
To describe differences in the baseline characteristics of two distinct patient groups, ≤80 years and >80 years enrolled the North Glasgow Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection fraction ( HFpEF ) pilot project, a joint working project with Boehringer Ingelheim.
Method
This is a quality improvement/equity of access project to develop a blueprint of care using a multidisciplinary team approach to manage HFpEF. Following comprehensive clinical assessment, patient data was entered onto a database (Castor) and analysed, stratifying patients by age (≤80 vs >80 years).
Results
From 14th March 2024 to 15th July 2025, 1213 patients attended of whom 582 (48%) had comprehensive data capture. The mean age was 78.8±13.4 years, 266 patients were ≤80 years and 316 patients were >80 years. Older patients were predominantly female (70% vs 55%, p<0.001) and more likely to be first assessed by geriatricians (26% vs 3%, p<0.001), heart failure specialist nurses (40% vs 24%, p<0.001), or pharmacists (11% vs 5%, p=0.007). Older patients were more symptomatic at presentation with a higher proportion in higher New York Heart Association classes (p=0.002) (class II 45% vs 41%; class III 41% vs 33%) and higher Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale scores (p<0.001). While multiple comorbidity was common across the age spectrum, older patients had a significantly higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation/flutter (67% vs 52%, p<0.001), chronic kidney disease (49% vs 37%, p=0.005), hypertension (82% vs 69%, p<0.001), history of cancer (34% vs 24%, p=0.007), osteoporosis (19% vs 9%, p<0.001), osteoarthritis (45% vs 31%, p<0.001), and visual impairment (42% vs 23%, p<0.001).
Conclusions
Older patients with HFpEF are more symptomatic, have higher frailty scores and a greater burden of comorbidities than their younger counterparts. Geriatricians bring valuable expertise in the management of these complex patients and should be integral to the design and delivery of heart failure services.