Delay in cardiology consultation after primary care physician referrals in heart failure: Clinical implications.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To investigate the association between the elapsed time to cardiology care following a primary care physician (PCP) referral and 1 year outcomes among patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods

Data from electronic medical records at our institution encompassing all PCP referrals to cardiology consultation from 2010 to 2021 (N = 68 518) were analysed. Of these, 6379 patients had a prior diagnosis of HF. Using a Cox regression model for hospitalization and mortality outcomes, the association between delay time in cardiology care post-PCP referral and 1 year outcomes was examined, adjusting for age, gender and comorbidities.

Results

A significant increase in 1 year mortality rates with delayed cardiology care was observed for each day: all-cause (0.25%), cardiovascu

SUBMITTER: Cinza-Sanjurjo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11769604 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature