Heart Failure (HF): Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) or Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)

In patients with previous or current symptoms of chronic HFrEF, the use of angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) is beneficial to reduce morbidity and mortality when the use of ARNI is not feasible (Class I, Level of Evidence A) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

In patients with previous or current symptoms of chronic HFrEF who are intolerant to ACEi because of cough or angioedema and when the use of ARNI is not feasible, the use of ARB is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality. (Class I, Level of Evidence A) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

In patients with chronic symptomatic HFrEF NYHA class II or III who tolerate an ACEi or ARB, replacement by an ARNI is recommended to further reduce morbidity and mortality (Class I, Level of Evidence B-R) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

ARNI should not be administered concomitantly with ACEi or within 36 hours of the last dose of an ACEi (Class II: Harm, Level of Evidence B-R) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

ARNI should not be administered to patients with any history of angioedema (Class III: Harm, Level of Evidence C-LD) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

ACEi should not be administered to patients with any history of angioedema (Class III: Harm, Level of Evidence C-LD) (Heidenreich et al., 2022).

Drugs Commonly Used for Stage C HFrEF (abbreviated to align with focus of measure to include only ACE inhibitors, ARB and ARNI therapy)

Drug Initial Daily Dose(s) Target Dose(s) Mean Doses Achieved in Clinical Trials

ACEi

Captopril 6.25 mg 3 times 50 mg 3 times 122.7 mg total daily

Enalapril 2.5 mg twice 10 to 20 mg twice 16.6 mg total daily

Fosinopril 5 to 10 mg once 40 mg once N/A

Lisinopril 2.5 to 5 mg once 20 to 40 mg once 32.5 to 35.0 mg total daily

Perindopril 2 mg once 8 to 16 mg once N/A

Quinapril 5 mg twice 20 mg twice N/A

Ramipril 1.25 to 2.5 mg once 10 mg once N/A

Trandolapril 1 mg once 4 mg once N/A

ARB

Candesartan 4 to 8 mg once 32 mg once 24 mg total daily

Losartan 25 to 50 mg once 50 to 150 mg once 129 mg total daily

Valsartan 20 to 40 mg twice 160 mg twice  254 mg total daily

ARNI

Sacubitril- 49/51 mg twice 97/103 mg twice 182/193 mg

valsartan (sacubitril/valsartan) (sacubitril/valsartan) (sacubitril/valsartan) total daily

(therapy may be initiated

at 24/26 mg twice)

LVEF <=40% corresponds to qualitative documentation of moderate dysfunction or severe dysfunction (LVSD). The LVSD may be determined by quantitative or qualitative assessment, which may be current or historical. Examples of a quantitative or qualitative assessment may include an echocardiogram: 1) that provides a numerical value of LVSD or 2) that uses descriptive terms such as moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. Any current or prior ejection fraction study documenting LVSD can be used to identify patients.

The requirement of two or more visits is used to establish that the eligible clinician has an existing relationship with the patient.

A range value should satisfy the logic requirement for ‘Ejection Fraction’ as long as the ranged observation value clearly meets the less than or equal to 40% threshold noted in the denominator logic. A range that is greater than 40% would not meet the measure requirement.

In order for the Ejection Fraction result pathway to be recognized as below 40%, the result must be reported as a number with unit of %. A text string of “below 40%” or “ejection fraction between 35 and 40%” will not be recognized through electronic data capture. Although, this criteria can also be met using the Diagnosis pathway if specified as “Moderate or Severe.”

Eligible clinicians who have given a prescription for or whose patient is already taking an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) would meet performance for this measure. Other combination therapies that consist of an ACEI plus diuretic, ARB + neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), ARB plus diuretic, ACEI plus calcium channel blocker, ARB plus calcium channel blocker, or ARB plus calcium channel blocker plus diuretic would also meet performance for this measure.

This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM.

Documentation of patient reason(s) for not prescribing ACE inhibitor or ARB or ARNI therapy (e.g., patient declined, other patient reasons).