Heart failure: An update for nurses.

ABSTRACT: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic syndrome that requires patients to manage signs and symptoms and adhere to a complex medication regimen. This article discusses updates in HF care related to a universal definition and new therapies, focusing on the four pillars of therapy for HF with reduced ejection fraction.

mHealth Technology and CVD Risk Reduction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review existing mHealth-based interventions and examine their efficacy in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. RECENT FINDINGS: A total of 50 articles are included in this review. The majority of the mHealth interventions targeted a specific CVD risk factor, while 4 addressed 2 or more CVD risk factors. Of the 9 mHealth-supported weight loss intervention trials, 4 resulted in significant weight loss. Four out of 7 RCTs targeting improvement in physical activity reported significant improvement, while 4 of the 8 mHealth-supported smoking cessation intervention trials resulted in smoking abstinence. Of the 10 mHealth-based diabetes intervention trials, 5 reported significant reductions in HbA1c; however, only 3 out of the 9 antihypertension interventions resulted in significant reductions in blood pressure. There is a growing body of literature focused on mHealth interventions that address CVD risk factors. Despite the immense potential of mHealth interventions, evidence of their efficacy in mitigating cardiovascular risk is heterogeneous.

Standardized Patient Education for Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients and Impact on Clinician Satisfaction.

The development of ascites in patients with cirrhosis can cause numerous complications including abdominal discomfort, pain, respiratory distress, decreased mobility, diminished quality of life, and contributes to an increased mortality. Symptom self-monitoring that incorporates evidence-based treatments has been effective when used by patients with noncirrhotic chronic diseases. Guided by the theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness, a self-monitoring guide was adapted from an existing validated tool. In the context of a pilot quality initiative, staff nurses educated patients with ascites and their caregivers, with the adapted symptom self-monitoring guide using a standardized process. Clinicians were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the patient education pre- and post-implementation. Results indicated improved clinician satisfaction with the education provided to patients and their caregivers during the clinic visit. Implementation of self-monitoring may improve clinician and patient satisfaction and clinic workflows. Additional evaluation of the self-monitoring guide and its effect on patient satisfaction, impact on hospital admissions, and outpatient paracentesis is warranted.

Multimorbidity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Is Associated With Greater Mortality, Higher Readmission Rates, and Increased Length of Stay: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this systematic review were to determine the magnitude and impact of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) on mortality, length of stay, and rates of coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular versus noncardiovascular multimorbidities. METHODS: MEDLINE, PubMed, MedlinePlus, EMBASE, OVID, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies published between 2009 and 2019. Eight original studies enrolling patients with ACS and assessing cardiovascular and noncardiovascular comorbid conditions met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: The most frequently examined cardiovascular multimorbidities included hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke/transient ischemic attack, coronary heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease; the most frequently examined noncardiovascular multimorbidities included cancer, anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal disease, liver disease, and depression. The prevalence of multimorbidity in the population with ACS is high (25%-95%). Patients with multimorbidities receive fewer evidence-based treatments, including coronary intervention and high-dose statins. Patients with multimorbidities experience higher in-hospital mortality (5%-13.9% vs 2.6%-6.1%), greater average length of stay (5-9 vs 3-4 days), and lower rates of revascularization (9%-14% vs 39%-42%) than nonmultimorbid patients. Women, despite being the minority in all sample populations, exhibited greater levels of multimorbidity than men. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbid patients with ACS are at a greater risk for worse outcomes than their nonmultimorbid counterparts. Lack of consistent measurement makes interpretation of the impact of multimorbidity challenging and emphasizes the need for more research on multimorbidity's effects on postdischarge healthcare utilization.

Sex Differences in Prehospital Delay in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In 2009, the window from symptom onset to administration of tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke was extended from 3 to 4.5 hours. Yet no systematic review has addressed prehospital delay by sex for stroke symptoms since this change. PURPOSE: We aimed to (1) compare prehospital delay times-the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival-between women and men with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack and (2) summarize factors influencing prehospital delay by sex. METHODS: The CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were searched using PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) quantitative research articles published between May 2008 and April 2019, (2) investigation of prehospital delay among women and men 15 years or older who were given a diagnosis of acute stroke or transient ischemic attack, and (3) English-language publications. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate the quality of studies. RESULTS: Fifteen publications (n = 162 856) met inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 11) showed no sex differences in prehospital delay. Four studies from Asian-Pacific countries and the United States showed that women had significantly longer prehospital delay compared with men. Older age, minority race/ethnicity (black and Mexican American), and underuse of emergency medical services were associated with prolonged prehospital delay in women. CONCLUSIONS: Most study authors found no differences in prehospital delay between women and men; however, women delayed longer in some Asian-Pacific and American studies. Findings of sex differences were inconclusive.

The Quality of Symptoms in Women and Men Presenting to the Emergency Department With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: More than 5.5 million patients present to emergency departments in the United States annually for potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, diagnosing ACS remains a challenge in emergency departments. Our aim was to describe the quality of symptoms (chest discomfort/description of pain, location/radiation, and overall symptom distress) reported by women and men ruled-in and ruled-out for ACS in emergency departments. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,064 patients presenting to emergency departments with symptoms that triggered cardiac workups. Trained research staff obtained data using the ACS Patient Information Questionnaire upon patient presentation to emergency departments. RESULTS: The sample (n = 1,064) included 474 (44.55%) patients ruled-in and 590 (55.45%) patients ruled-out for ACS. Symptom distress was significantly higher in patients ruled-in versus ruled-out for ACS (7.3 ± 2.6 vs. 6.8 ± 2.5; P = 0.002) and was a significant predictor for an ACS diagnosis in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.17; P = 0.003). Women also reported more chest pressure (51.75% vs. 44.65; P = 0.02) compared with men, and chest pressure was a significant predictor for a diagnosis of ACS (OR, 1.61; CI, 1.03-2.53; P = 0.02). DISCUSSION: Higher levels of symptom distress may help ED personnel in making a decision to evaluate a patient for ACS, and the presence of chest pressure may aid in making a differential diagnosis of ACS.

Symptoms Suggestive of Acute Coronary Syndrome: When Is Sex Important?

BACKGROUND: Studies have identified sex differences in symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, retrospective designs, abstraction of symptoms from medical records, and variations in assessment forms make it difficult to determine the clinical significance of sex differences. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of sex on the occurrence and distress of 13 symptoms for patients presenting to the emergency department for symptoms suggestive of ACS. METHODS: A total of 1064 patients admitted to 5 emergency departments with symptoms triggering a cardiac evaluation were enrolled. Demographic and clinical variables, symptoms, comorbid conditions, and functional status were measured. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (n = 664, 62.4%), white (n = 739, 69.5%), and married (n = 497, 46.9%). Women were significantly older than men (61.3 ± 14.6 vs 59.5 ± 13.6 years). Most patients were discharged with a non-ACS diagnosis (n = 590, 55.5%). Women with ACS were less likely to report chest pain as their chief complaint and to report more nausea (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.42), shoulder pain (OR, 1.76; CI, 1.13-2.73), and upper back pain (OR, 2.92; CI, 1.81-4.70). Women with ACS experienced more symptoms (6.1 vs 5.5; P = .026) compared with men. Men without ACS had less symptom distress compared with women. CONCLUSIONS: Women and men evaluated for ACS reported similar rates of chest pain but differed on other classic symptoms. These findings suggest that women and men should be counseled that ACS is not always accompanied by chest pain and multiple symptoms may occur simultaneously.

Measurement of Dyspnea in Ambulatory African Americans With Heart Failure and a Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is a burdensome and disabling heart failure (HF) symptom. Few studies examining dyspnea in HF have included African Americans (AAs), despite their developing HF at a younger age and having the highest mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine dyspnea in AA patients with HF and a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) compared with those with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), before and after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). METHODS: A convenience sample of ambulatory AA patients (HFrEF, n = 26; HFpEF, n = 19) 50 years or older was recruited from an urban HF clinic. The Borg Scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to measure dyspnea intensity before and after the 6MWT. Activity limitations related to dyspnea were described using the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Group comparisons were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and χ 2tests. Convergent validity was determined between the Borg and VAS using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in age, gender, and comorbidities between HF groups. Most HFpEF patients reported dyspnea at baseline (Borg, 63%; VAS, 73%) and after the 6MWT (Borg, 78%; VAS, 79%). In the HFrEF group, the prevalence of baseline dyspnea was greater when measured with the VAS (Borg, 34%; VAS, 80%) but was similar between instruments after the 6MWT (Borg, 64%; VAS, 77%). Both groups reported a similar change in dyspnea intensity during and after the 6MWT. The Bland-Altman plots indicated moderate agreement at each time point. Most patients described walking hurriedly or uphill as dyspnea-provoking on the Modified Respiratory Council Dyspnea Scale. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dyspnea at baseline and after the 6MWT was high for both groups, but intensity varied with the dyspnea instrument used.

Defining the system: contributors to exercise limitations in heart failure.

One of the primary hallmarks of patients diagnosed with heart failure (HF) is a reduced tolerance to exercise and compromised functional capacity. This limitation stems from poor pumping capacity but also major changes in functioning of the vasculature, skeletal muscle, and respiratory systems. Advances in the understanding of the central and peripheral mechanisms of exercise intolerance during HF are critical for the future design of therapeutic modalities devised to improve outcomes. The interrelatedness between systems cannot be discounted. This review summarizes the current literature related to the pathophysiology of HF contributing to poor exercise tolerance, and potential mechanisms involved.

Effects of exercise interventions on peripheral vascular endothelial vasoreactivity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Changes in vascular function, such as endothelial dysfunction are linked to the progression of heart failure (HF) and poorer outcomes, such as increased hospitalisations. Exercise training may positively influence endothelial function in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. The aim of this manuscript is to summarise HF studies evaluating the influence of exercise training on endothelial function as measured by flow mediated vasodilation as a primary outcome and to provide recommendations for future research studies designed to improve peripheral vascular function in HF. Databases were searched for studies published between 1995 and December 2011. Two reviewers determined eligibility and extracted information on study characteristics and quality, exercise interventions, and endothelial function. Eleven articles (N=318 HF participants with an ejection fraction <40%) were eligible for full review. Aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise training improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation as measured by ultrasound or plethysmography. There is less evidence supporting improvement in endothelium-independent function with exercise training. Sample sizes were small and predominantly male. Future research is needed to address the best mode and optimal dose of exercise for all patients with HF including women and subgroups with specific co-morbidities.

Decision Delay Is a Significant Contributor to Prehospital Delay for Stroke Symptoms.

Prehospital delay after stroke symptom onset is a primary barrier to eligibility for reperfusion therapies. Decision delay is an understudied contributor to prehospital delay. We aimed to explore decision delay as a component of prehospital delay. For this correlational study, 170 Thai acute stroke patients were interviewed to explore their treatment-seeking decision factors: prior stroke knowledge, onset context, and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors. Participants' mean age was 61.2 years, and 46% were women. Median decision delay and prehospital delay times were 120 and 372 minutes. Decision delay represented 49% of prehospital delays. Factors shortening decision delay were atrial fibrillation, prior stroke knowledge, perceived cause of symptoms as stroke, perceived severity of symptoms, and advice from bystanders to seek treatment. In contrast, seeking support from others and self-treatment affected prolonged decision delay. Shortening decision delay, often under the patient or bystander control, can reduce overall prehospital delay.

Nurses' personal perceptions of clinical work adaptation during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The clinical work of nurses across the United States was profoundly impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Nurses in both hospital and outpatient settings had to adapt quickly to the continuously changing healthcare environment. OBJECTIVE: To describe nurses' responses to open-ended questions of their clinical work adaption during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey with four open-ended questions was completed by practicing HF nurses. Content analysis was used to analyze the written data. RESULTS: The 127 nurses who provided one to four narrative responses, 55.1% were clinical registered nurses and 44.9% were advance practice nurses. Four categories emerged: changing paths exemplifies work challenges, developing technical skills and resources, asking better questions while listening, and showing resilience through new paths to optimize work. CONCLUSION: Understanding perceptions of nurses' adaptions to clinical work made during the pandemic provides insight into the challenges and opportunities for development in the future.

Perceptions of changes in practice patterns and patient care among heart failure nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) had a profound impact on the delivery of care in both hospital and outpatient settings across the United States. Patients with heart failure (HF) and healthcare providers had to abruptly adapt. OBJECTIVE: To describe how the COVID-19 pandemic affected practice patterns of HF nurses. METHODS: Practicing HF nurses completed a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey of perceptions of HF practice. Analyses involved descriptive and comparative statistics. RESULTS: Of 171 nurses who completed surveys, outpatient HF visits decreased and 63.2% added telehealth visits. Despite spending about 29 min educating patients during visits, 27.5% of nurses perceived that the pandemic decreased patients' abilities to provide optimal self-care. Nurses reported decreased ability to collect objective data (62.4%; n = 78), although subjective assessment stayed the same (41.6%; n = 52). CONCLUSION: Nurses' practice patterns provided insight into patient care changes made during COVID-19. Most core components of HF management were retained, but methods of delivery during the pandemic differed.

Integrating Palliative Care Into Heart Failure Management.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families through the prevention and relief of suffering by assessment and treatment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems. Any patient with chronic debilitating disease, including heart failure, is a candidate for interdisciplinary palliative care to manage their complex physical and psychosocial needs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The philosophy of palliative care has evolved to include a vision of holistic care extended to all individuals with serious illness and their families or caregivers that should be integrated throughout the continuum of care, including the acute phase. The critical care nurse will likely encounter patients with heart failure who are receiving or are eligible to receive palliative care at various time points during their illness. Critical care nurses therefore play a pivotal role in symptom palliation affecting the heart failure patient's quality of life. PURPOSE: To review the models of palliative care and the role that the critical care nurse plays in symptom palliation and preparation of the patient and their family for transition to other levels and settings of care. CONTENT COVERED: This review addresses the principles and models of palliative care along with how to integrate these principles into all phases of the heart failure disease continuum. Also included are recommendations for palliation of symptoms specific to heart failure patients as well as a discussion of the role of the critical care nurse and the importance of shared decision-making.

Multimorbidity phenotypes in patients presenting to the emergency department with possible acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity (> 2 conditions) increases the risk of adverse outcomes and challenges health care systems for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These complications may be partially attributed to ACS clinical care which is driven by single-disease-based practice guidelines; current guidelines do not consider multimorbidity. OBJECTIVES: To identify multimorbidity phenotypes (combinations of conditions) with suspected ACS. We hypothesized that: 1) subgroups of patients with similar multimorbidity phenotypes could be identified, 2) classes would differ according to diagnosis, and 3) class membership would differ by sex, age, functional status, family history, and discharge diagnosis. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data from a large multi-site clinical study of patients with suspected ACS. Conditions were determined by items on the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the ACS Patient Information Questionnaire. Latent class analysis was used to identify phenotypes. RESULTS: The sample (n = 935) was predominantly male (68%) and middle-aged (mean= 59 years). Four multimorbidity phenotypes were identified: 1) high multimorbidity (Class 1) included hyperlipidemia, hypertension (HTN), obesity, diabetes, and respiratory disorders (COPD or asthma); 2) low multimorbidity (Class 2) included only obesity; 3) cardiovascular multimorbidity (Class 3) included HTN, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease; and 4) cardio-oncology multimorbidity (Class 4) included HTN, hyperlipidemia, and cancer. Patients ruled-in for ACS primarily clustered in Classes 3 and 4 (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.95-4.05, p = 0.001 and OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.13-2.74, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Identifying and understanding multimorbidity phenotypes may assist with risk-stratification and better triage of high-risk patients in the emergency department.

Navigating Symptom Management in Heart Failure: The Crucial Role of the Critical Care Nurse.

High-acuity, progressive care, and critical care nurses often provide care for patients with heart failure during an exacerbation of acute disease or at the end of life. Identifying and managing heart failure symptoms is complex and requires early recognition and early intervention. Because symptoms of heart failure are not disease specific, patients may not respond to them appropriately, resulting in treatment delays. This article reviews the complexities and issues surrounding the patient's ability to recognize heart failure symptoms and the critical care nurse's role in facilitating early intervention. It outlines the many barriers to symptom recognition and response, including multimorbidities, age, symptom intensity, symptom escalation, and health literacy. The influence of self-care on heart failure management is also described. The critical care nurse plays a crucial role in teaching heart failure patients to identify and respond appropriately to their symptoms, thus promoting early intervention.

The association between symptom onset characteristics and prehospital delay in women and men with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A decision to delay seeking treatment for symptoms of acute coronary syndrome increases the risk of serious complications, disability, and death. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was an association between gradual vs abrupt symptom onset and prehospital delay for patients with acute coronary syndrome and to examine the relationship between activities at symptom onset and gradual vs abrupt symptom onset. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a large prospective multi-center study. Altogether, 474 patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome were included in the study. Symptom characteristics, activity at symptom onset, and prehospital delay were measured with the ACS Patient Questionnaire. RESULTS: Median prehospital delay time was four hours. Being uninsured (ß=0.120, p=0.031) and having a gradual onset of symptoms (ß=0.138, p=0.003) were associated with longer delay. A diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (ß=-0.205, p=0.001) and arrival by ambulance (ß=-0.317, p<0.001) were associated with shorter delay. Delay times were shorter for patients who experienced an abrupt vs gradual symptom onset (2.57 h vs 8 h, p<0.001). Among men with an abrupt onset of symptoms and a ST-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis, 54% reported that symptoms were triggered by exertion (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: Patients should be counselled that a gradual onset of symptoms for potential acute coronary syndrome is an emergency and that they should call 911. Men with ischemic heart disease or with multiple risk factors should be cautioned that symptom onset following exertion may represent acute coronary syndrome.

The Three Rs for Preventing Heart Failure Readmission: Review, Reassess, and Reeducate.

Despite improvements in heart failure therapies, hospitalization readmission rates remain high. Nationally, increasing attention has been directed toward reducing readmission rates and thus identifying patients with the highest risk for readmission. This article summarizes the evidence related to decreasing readmission for patients with heart failure within 30 days after discharge, focusing on the acute setting. Each patient requires an individualized plan for successful transition from hospital to home and preventing readmission. Nurses must review the patient's current plan of care and adherence to it and look for clues to failure of the plan that could lead to readmission to the hospital. In addition, nurses must reassess the current plan with the patient and family to ensure that the plan continues to meet the patient's needs. Finally, nurses must continually reeducate patients about their plan of care, their plan for self-management, and strategies to prevent hospital readmission for heart failure.