The purpose of the ADHERE study is to develop a multi-center, observational, open-label registry of the management strategies of patients treated in the hospital for acute Heart Failure in the United States.

The objective is to compile a clinical database on the strategy for the medical management of patients hospitalized with acute Heart Failure (HF). Through the use of the information collected from acute care hospitals across the United States the following information may be coming out of this study: 1) Assist hospitals in evaluating and improving quality of care for patients with acute HF by tracking quality indicators and providing benchmark data reports; 2) Describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who are hospitalized with acute HF; 3) Characterize the initial emergency department evaluation and subsequent inpatient management of patients hospitalized with acute HF; 4) Identify patient characteristics and medical care practices associated with improved health outcomes in those hospitalized with acute HF; 5) Characterize trends and changes over time in the management of acute HF; 6) Offer surveillance of adherence to practice guidelines as these emerge for the inpatient management of acute HF. Observational Study - No investigational drug administered

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than or equal to 18 years at the time of admission to the hospital
• Received or is eligible to receive a principal hospital discharge diagnosis of HF
• Decompensated HF is present as determined clinically by the patient care team

Exclusion Criteria:

• HF is present as a co-morbid condition, but is not a principal focus of diagnosis or treatment during this hospitalization episode

All consecutive adult patients admitted to an acute care hospital and treated actively for acute HF, where acute HF is defined clinically as a new onset with HF decompensation