In this episode of Key Perspectives, we continue our heart failure series with Part 6: a deep dive into SGLT2 inhibitors. Originally developed for diabetes, these medications have become essential tools in managing both HFrEF and HFpEF, regardless of whether a patient has diabetes.

We’ll explore how SGLT2 inhibitors work, their surprising benefits in heart failure and chronic kidney disease, and the mechanisms that make them effective beyond glycemic control. We also discuss key topics such as:

• How SGLT2 inhibitors reduce preload and afterload

• Their metabolic benefits in the failing heart

• Contraindications and when to hold therapy

• Dosing strategies and how they interact with diuretics

• How to recognize and manage euglycemic DKA

• Cautions related to renal function, infection risk, and more

Whether you're managing patients in a SNF, clinic, or home setting, this episode offers practical insights for safely incorporating SGLT2 inhibitors into your treatment approach.

In this fifth installment of our Heart Failure series, we dive deep into one of the core pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with HFrEF: Beta Blockers.

You’ll learn:

• How beta-1, beta-2, and beta-3 adrenergic receptors work

• Why slowing the heart rate helps in HFrEF

• The evidence-based beta blockers for HFrEF (and their dosing)

• Common pitfalls in prescribing, like confusing metoprolol tartrate vs. succinate

• When to avoid beta blockers—and how to safely use them in patients with COPD or asthma

This episode is packed with pearls for clinicians working in geriatrics, primary care, and cardiology. Whether you're managing patients in the SNF, in the home, or via telemedicine, this practical review will help you optimize outcomes for patients with heart failure.

In this episode, we take a thoughtful, practical look at a topic that’s often misunderstood: hospice care. Whether you’re a clinician, caregiver, or simply someone trying to navigate the complexities of serious illness, this episode offers clarity on what hospice really is—and isn’t.

We cover:

• What hospice care truly entails from a clinical and insurance perspective
• The full range of support services patients receive under hospice, from 24/7 clinician access to spiritual care and medical equipment at home
• How to identify patients who may benefit from hospice earlier in their disease course
• How to approach compassionate, honest conversations with patients and families when curative treatment is no longer the goal

We also explore tools like the “Surprise Question” and the Serious Illness Conversation Program (SICP) that can help guide clinicians through these critical moments.

With nearly 70% of Americans wishing to die at home—but only 30% doing so—we discuss how timely hospice enrollment and skilled communication can help align care with what patients truly value: comfort, dignity, and peace.