Heart Failure Service

The aim of the Heart Failure Service is to improve the cardiovascular health of patients who have been diagnosed as having heart failure due to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (< 40%) or HFpEF or following a recent acute admission with decompensating heart failure.

Please note: this service is only available to those registered with a GP in Greater Preston, Chorley or South Ribble

We offer comprehensive advice, education and treatment in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines for chronic heart failure. Primarily with patients who have experienced an episode of decompensating heart failure requiring an acute admission to hospital, or deemed as unstable with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, to enable self-management.

The service is provided in clinics and at home visits.

Referral Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with newly diagnosed Acute/Chronic Heart Failure (LVSD) < 45% confirmed by Echocardiography, MRI or angiogram which demonstrates Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (within the last 12 months), who require education and titration of medication as per NICE Guidelines (108). (Most recent Echocardiogram result must be attached to referral form/letter)
• Patients with newly diagnosed Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) which has been confirmed by a Cardiologist (a) (within the last 12 months).
• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of LVSD < 45% or Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) which has been confirmed by a Cardiologist (a), who require heart failure specialist nurse review due to recent decompensation or hospitalisation for heart failure symptoms within the last 4 weeks.
• Patients with established Heart Failure who have previously been known to the CHFSNS service can be referred back via their GP, if their condition becomes unstable due to decompensating heart failure. 

Exclusion Criteria

• No confirmed diagnosis of LVSD or HFpEF
• Unwilling to receive support from the Community Heart Failure Specialist Nursing Service
• Other immediately life threatening illness
• Underlying aetiology of heart failure is non-cardiac eg cor pulmonale