[Management of chronic heart failure: clinical features and resource utilization among patients managed by the general practitioner. Pilot project in the province of Udine (Italy)].

RATIONALE: In the management of heart failure the general practitioner (GP) plays an important role. However, international studies proved that the GP differs in the management of these patients from the cardiologist. This pilot study aims at investigating if such differences persist in the Italian community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with heart failure have been enrolled prospectively by 10 GPs in the Udine district (ASL 4). All of them have been evaluated at the first and subsequent visits, both with respect to clinical and instrumental parameters, overall resource consumption and quality of life. RESULTS: We observed a high degree of heterogeneity in the follow up patterns; a low coordination between GP and cardiologists in managing patients; several co-morbidities; high social burden; a good adherence to treatment guidelines; a moderate workload, subjectively evaluated from the GP. CONCLUSIONS: This experience motivated the need of further research in the field, and, from the point of view of the daily practice, the need of integrating hospital and community management of patients with heart failure.