The Reliability and Validity of Consistently Assess Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure (CLASS-HF) Guide

BACKGROUND: The New York Heart Association Functional Classification (NYHA-FC) is used in clinical practice to assess functional capacity. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the reliability and validity of the Consistently Assess Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure (CLASS-HF) Guide in the assignment of NYHA-FC. METHODS: Providers assigned NYHA-FC using the CLASS-HF Guide and patients completed a 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Interrater reliability revealed moderate agreement (κ = 0.462) among heart failure providers. A significant inverse correlation was found between assigned NYHA-FC and 6-minute meters walked ( rs = -0.469, P < .001), with significant mean differences (analysis of variance F(3,99) = 10.72, P < .001) in distance walked. CONCLUSIONS: The CLASS-HF Guide showed evidence of reliability and validity.