Heart failure (HF) is a frequent and prognostically significant comorbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This nationwide survey published in the Nefrologia evaluated routine clinical practice and identified potential gaps in HF diagnosis within nephrology clinics in Spain. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to nephrologists, and data were collected over a two-month period.

A total of 73 centers completed the survey. Respondents estimated the prevalence of HF among patients with CKD at 44.1%; however, only approximately 30% of these cases were reported to be documented in medical records. Although 55.4% of respondents indicated that active HF screening was performed in their clinics, the use of diagnostic tools varied. Echocardiography, natriuretic peptide testing, and electrocardiography were used inconsistently and were often contingent upon the presence of symptoms rather than applied systematically.

These findings highlight variability in screening approaches and potential underdocumentation of HF among patients with CKD. The findings indicate gaps in HF diagnosis practices in nephrology clinics caring for patients with CKD.

The findings support a call to action to implement protocolized, multidisciplinary strategies to optimize HF diagnosis and facilitate early initiation of appropriate HF therapies in patients with CKD.