Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
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Multicenter Study
Geographical differences in heart failure characteristics and treatment across Europe: results from the BIOSTAT-CHF study.
Geographical differences may impact the treatment of heart failure (HF) and the results of clinical trials. We have investigated the differences between geographical areas across Europe in the BIOSTAT-CHF program. ⋯ The BIOSTAT-CHF study showed significant differences in the clinical features, treatment and prognosis in European patients with HF. Patients from the Mediterranean centers less often had the HF treatments up-titrated; however, the treatment up-titration benefited patients irrespective of their geographical region and should be part of the "default" clinical practice.