Patient-Reported Health Status Assessment Using the KCCQ for Early Detection of Heart Failure Worsening

The course of heart failure (HF) is characterized by episodes of worsening HF (WHF). These episodes increase the risk of hospitalization and death. Currently, reliable instruments for early identification of WHF are underdeveloped. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is a disease-specific, self-administered instrument designed to assess patient status. KCCQ allows detection of changes in clinical status in HF patients within a 14-day recall period and has the potential for early detection of WHF.

The study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, observational feasibility study aims to assess the (i) feasibility and acceptability of serial KCCQ assessment; (ii) the relationship between temporal changes in KCCQ scores and markers of congestion, as well as (iii) clinical outcome, a composite of worsening heart failure events or cardiovascular death (CVD), and the time from 5- and 10-point KCCQ changes to clinical events.

The study population will include 120 patients aged 18 years and above who meet the criteria. Eligible patients will undergo serial KCCQ assessments every 2 weeks for 12 months. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), lung ultrasound (LUS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and blood sampling will be performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcomes will be collected at 6 and 12 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Established diagnosis of chronic HF with reduced, mildly reduced, or preserved ejection fraction, NYHA II-III
• History of heart failure (HF) hospitalization within the last 6 months before enrollment, defined as the presence of dyspnea, elevated NT-proBNP ≥300 pg/mL (sinus rhythm) or ≥600 pg/mL (if AF), and 2 of the following: i. Rales on chest auscultation or signs of congestion on X-ray/CT scan; ii. Peripheral Oedema; iii. Loop diuretics IV at admission
• Free of signs and symptoms of congestion, defined as JVP of <8 cm, with no orthopnea, pulmonary rales, and with trace peripheral edema or no edema.
• Stable doses of oral loop diuretics, if prescribed
• Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Acute coronary syndrome, cardiac surgery, pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular accident, ablation of atrial flutter/fibrillation, valve repair/replacement, implanted cardioverter defibrillator or urgent PCI within the last 3 months
• Planned interventions, including major cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, ventricular assist device, cardiac transplantation), coronary revascularization, implantation of a cardiac device or ablation of atrial flutter/fibrillation during the study
• Previous cardiac transplantation and candidates for heart transplantation
• Complex congenital heart disease
• Heart failure due to active myocarditis, pericardial constriction, known hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or cardiac amyloidosis, or uncorrected severe valvular heart disease
• Primary pulmonary hypertension, chronic pulmonary embolism, severe pulmonary disease
• Cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, or other severe hepatic disease
• Significant drug or alcohol abuse during the last year
• Hemodialysis
• Infective endocarditis
• Any active cancer