Diagnosis of heart failure in primary care: an assessment of internationalguidelines

An appraisal of published, peer-reviewed guidelines, in terms of their deve lopment methodologies and clinical effectiveness, was undertaken using a pu blished and validated appraisal tool. Electronic databases revealed 13 guid elines on heart failure but only seven of these referred to diagnosis. The quality of the published guidelines was variable but there was consensus ov er the main symptoms and diagnostic tests, although only two symptoms were mentioned in all guidelines. Only two guidelines scored greater than 50% fo r rigour of development.