Device Therapy for Stage C HFrEF 1510 6.4. Stage D 1513 6.4.1. Water Restriction 1513 6.4.2. Inotropic Support 1513 6.4.3. Mechanical Circulatory Support 1516 6.4.4. Cardiac Transplantation 1516 7. The Hospitalized Patient: Recommendations 1516 7.1. Precipitating Causes of Decompensated HF 1517 7.2. Maintenance of GDMT During Hospitalization 1517 7.3. Diuretics in Hospitalized Patients 1517 7.4. Renal Replacement TherapydUltra ltration 1518 7.5. Parenteral Therapy in Hospitalized HF 1518 7.6. Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients 1518 7.7. Arginine Vasopressin Antagonists 1518 7.8. Inpatient and Transitions of Care 1518 8. Important Comorbidities in HF 1519 Interventional Treatments of HF: Recommendations 1519 10. Coordinating Care for Patients With Chronic HF: Recommendations 1520 11. Quality Metrics/Performance Measures: Recommendations 1520 12. Evidence Gaps and Future Research Directions 1520 References 1522 Appendix 1. Author Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) 1533 Appendix 2. Reviewer Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) 1536 Yancy et al. JACC Vol. 62, No. 16, 2013 2013 ACCF/AHA Heart Failure Guidelines: Executive Summary October 15, 2013:1495 539 Preamble The medical profession should play a central role in evalu- ating the evidence related to drugs, devices, and procedures for the detection, management, and prevention of disease. When properly applied, expert analysis of available data on the bene ts and risks of these therapies and procedures can improve the quality of care, optimize patient outcomes, and favorably affect costs by focusing resources on the most effective strategies. An organized and directed approach to a thorough review of evidence has resulted in the production of clinical practice guidelines that assist clinicians in selecting the best management strategy for an individual patient. Moreover, clinical practice guidelines can provide a founda- tion for other applications, such as performance measures, appropriate use criteria, and both quality improvement and clinical decision support tools. 