ABSTRACT
To investigate the biomechanical effects of direct ventricular assistance and explore the optimal loading mode, this study established a left ventricular model of heart failure patients based on the finite element method. It proposed a loading mode that maintains peak pressure compression, and compared it with the traditional sinusoidal loading mode from both hemodynamic and biomechanical perspectives. The results showed that both modes significantly improved hemodynamic parameters, with ejection fraction increased from a baseline of 29.33% to 37.32% and 37.77%, respectively, while peak pressure, stroke volume, and stroke work parameters also increased. Additionally, both modes showed improvements in stress concentration and excessive fiber strain. Moreover, considering the phase error of the assist device's working cycle, the proposed assist mode in this study was less affected. Therefore, this research may provide theoretical support for the design and optimization of direct ventricular assist devices.
Subject(s)
Finite Element Analysis , Heart Failure , Heart-Assist Devices , Humans , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/therapy , Biomechanical Phenomena , Hemodynamics , Models, Cardiovascular , Heart Ventricles/physiopathology , Stress, Mechanical , Stroke Volume/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the known benefits for individuals with heart failure (HF), incomplete data suggest a low use of palliative care (PC) for HF in the United States. We aimed to investigate the national PC use for adults with HF by determining when they received their first PC consultation (PCC) and the associations with clinical factors following diagnosis of HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a national all-payer electronic health record database to identify adults (aged ≥18 years) with newly diagnosed HF between 2011 and 2018. The proportion of those who received PCC within 5 years following a diagnosis of HF, and associations of time to first PCC with patient characteristics and HF-specific clinical markers were determined. We followed 127 712 patients for a median of 792 days, of whom 18.3% received PCC in 5 years. Shorter time to receive PCC was associated with diagnoses of HF in 2016 to 2018 (compared with 2010-2015: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.421 [95% CI, 1.370-1.475]), advanced HF (aHR, 2.065 [95% CI, 1.940-2.198]), cardiogenic shock (aHR, 2.587 [95% CI, 2.414-2.773]), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (aHR, 5.718 [95% CI, 5.327-6.138]), and visits at academic medical centers (aHR, 1.439 [95% CI, 1.381-1.500]). CONCLUSIONS: Despite an expanded definition of PC and recommendations by professional societies, PC for HF remains low in the United States. Racial and geographic variations in access and use of PC exist for patients with HF. Future studies should interrogate the mechanisms of PC underusage, especially before advanced stages, and address barriers to PC services across the health care system.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Palliative Care , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Palliative Care/statistics & numerical data , Male , Female , United States/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Middle Aged , Aged , Adult , Time Factors , Aged, 80 and over , Databases, Factual , Young AdultABSTRACT
Patients on left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are prone to excessive hemostasis disturbances due to permanent contact of artificial pump surfaces with blood components. We aimed to investigate if fibrin clot permeability is altered in patients on long-term continuous-flow LVAD therapy and if the clot permeability is associated with clinical characteristics and adverse events. We investigated 85 end-stage heart failure patients (90.6% men, age 48.6-63.8 years) scheduled for continuous flow long-term LVAD support according to current clinical indications. The patients were assessed periodically: prior to LVAD implantation (T1), 3-6 months (T2) after LVAD implantation, 6-12 months after (T3) and then every 6 months. We tested the first three blood samples (T1-T3) and the last available blood sample (T4), but no longer than 5 years after LVAD implantation. We assessed hemostasis parameters (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) Prothrombin Time, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, Fibrinogen, D-dimer, Antithrombin, Thrombin Time, Factor VIII, and von Willebrand Factor, aspirin-induced platelet inhibition, adenosine-diphosphate test) changes during the study period. Fibrin Clot Permeability was evaluated using a pressure system and Permeability Coefficient (Ks) was calculated. We observed a decrease in fibrin clot permeability (Ks) between T1, T2, T3 and T4 time periods; P < 0.01 for each comparison. Fibrin clot permeability was negatively correlated with fibrinogen concentration: r = - 0.51, P < 0.001, factor VIII activity r = - 0.42, P < 0.001. There was no association of Ks with age, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and medications P > 0.001, however cumulative measurements in patients on aspirin showed shortening of Ks in this group P = 0.0123. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) occurred in 36.5% patients, bleeding events in 25.9%, Net Adverse Clinical Events (NACE) in 62.4%; 31.7% patients died, and 17.6% underwent transplantation. The transplantation was considered as the endpoint. Discrepancies in Ks were observed between patients with MACCE, bleeding, and NACE, and patients without adverse events. Ks showed a constant trend towards normalization (P < 0.01) only in patients without adverse events. Patients with advanced heart failure have disturbed clot structure. A trend towards normalization of the Ks values is associated with fewer thromboembolic and bleeding complications in this group of patients.
Subject(s)
Fibrin , Heart Failure , Heart-Assist Devices , Humans , Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Male , Female , Fibrin/metabolism , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/metabolism , Permeability , Blood Coagulation , HemostasisABSTRACT
Minoritized racial and ethnic groups have the highest incidence, prevalence, and hospitalization rate for heart failure. Despite improvement in medical therapies and overall survival, the morbidity and mortality of these groups remain elevated. The reasons for this disparity are multifactorial, including social determinant of health (SDOH) such as access to care, bias, and structural racism. These same factors contributed to higher rates of COVID-19 infection among minoritized racial and ethnic groups. In this review, we aim to explore the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and its interconnection between heart failure and SDOH. The pandemic presents a window of opportunity for achieving greater equity in the health care of all vulnerable populations.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Heart Failure , SARS-CoV-2 , Stroke Volume , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Heart Failure/ethnology , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Heart Failure/therapy , Stroke Volume/physiology , Healthcare Disparities , Social Determinants of Health , Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Health Status Disparities , Racial GroupsABSTRACT
Treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has benefitted from a proliferation of new medications and devices. These treatments carry important clinical benefits, but also come with costs relevant to payers, providers, and patients. Patient out-of-pocket costs have been implicated in the avoidance of medical care, nonadherence to medications, and the exacerbation of health care disparities. In the absence of major health care policy and payment redesign, high-quality HFrEF care delivery requires transparent integration of cost considerations into system design, patient-clinician interactions, and medical decision making.
Subject(s)
Cost of Illness , Heart Failure , Stroke Volume , Humans , Heart Failure/economics , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/therapy , Stroke Volume/physiology , Health Care Costs , United StatesABSTRACT
Successful remote patient monitoring depends on bidirectional interaction between patients and multidisciplinary clinical teams. Invasive pulmonary artery pressure monitoring has been shown to reduce heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, facilitate guideline-directed medical therapy optimization, and improve quality of life. Cardiac implantable electronic device-based multiparameter monitoring has shown encouraging results in predicting future HF-related events. Potential expanded indications for remote monitoring include guideline-directed medical therapy optimization, application to specific populations, and subclinical detection of HF. Voice analysis, inferior vena cava diameter monitoring, and artificial intelligence-based remote electrocardiogram show potential to gain some merit in remote patient monitoring in HF.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Hospitalization , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , TelemedicineABSTRACT
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease. It is estimated that more than 250,000 patients suffer from advanced HF with reduced ejection fraction refractory to medical therapy. With limited donor pool for heart transplant, continue flow left ventricle assist device (LVAD) is a lifesaving treatment option for patients with advanced HF. This review will provide an update on indications, contraindications, and associated adverse events for LVAD support with a summary of the current outcomes data.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Heart-Assist Devices , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/surgery , Heart Ventricles/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Transcatheter mitral valve repair should be considered for patients with severe secondary mitral regurgitation with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction for symptom improvement and survival benefit. Patients with a higher severity of secondary mitral regurgitation relative to the degree of left ventricular dilation are more likely to benefit from transcatheter mitral valve repair. A multidisciplinary Heart Team should participate in patient selection for transcatheter mitral valve therapy.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Catheterization , Heart Failure , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation , Mitral Valve Insufficiency , Mitral Valve , Stroke Volume , Humans , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/physiopathology , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/surgery , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/therapy , Stroke Volume/physiology , Cardiac Catheterization/methods , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Mitral Valve/surgery , Mitral Valve/physiopathology , Patient SelectionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Increased left atrial pressure (LAP) contributes to dyspnea and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in baseline LAP and LAP response to rapid pacing between paroxysmal and persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This observational study prospectively enrolled 1369 participants who underwent AF catheter ablation, excluding those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. H2FPEF score was calculated by echocardiography and baseline characteristics. Patients underwent LAP measurements during AF, sinus rhythm, and heart rates of 90, 100, 110, and 120 beats per minute (bpm), induced by right atrial pacing and isoproterenol. The baseline LAP-peak in the persistent AF group consistently exceeded that in the paroxysmal AF (PAF) group across each H2FPEF score subgroup (all P<0.05). LAP-peak increased with pacing (19.5 to 22.5 mm Hg) but decreased with isoproterenol (20.4 to 18.4 mm Hg). Under pacing, patients with PAF exhibited a significantly lower LAP-peak (90 bpm) than those with persistent AF (17.7±8.2 versus 21.1±9.3 mm Hg, P<0.001). However, there was no difference in LAP-peak (120 bpm) between the 2 groups (22.1±8.1 versus 22.9±8.4 mm Hg, P=0.056) because the LAP-peak significantly increased with heart rate in the group with PAF. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PAF exhibited lower baseline LAP with greater increases during rapid pacing compared with individuals with persistent AF, indicating a need to revise the H2FPEF score for distinguishing PAF from persistent AF and emphasizing the importance of rate and rhythm control in PAF for symptom control. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT02138695.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Atrial Pressure , Heart Failure , Stroke Volume , Humans , Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Atrial Fibrillation/therapy , Atrial Fibrillation/surgery , Female , Male , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Heart Failure/therapy , Stroke Volume/physiology , Atrial Pressure/physiology , Middle Aged , Aged , Prospective Studies , Heart Rate/physiology , Catheter Ablation , Echocardiography , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial , Atrial Function, Left/physiology , Ventricular Function, Left/physiology , Isoproterenol/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Background: Selected patients with advanced heart failure ineligible for heart transplantation could benefit from left ventricular assist device therapy as 'destination therapy'. There is evidence of the efficacy of destination therapy; however, it is not currently commissioned within the United Kingdom National Health Service due to the lack of economic evidence. Objective: What is the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a left ventricular assist device compared to medical management for patients with advanced heart failure ineligible for heart transplantation (destination therapy)? Methods: A systematic review of evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy was undertaken including, where feasible, a network meta-analysis to provide an indirect estimate of the relative effectiveness of currently available left ventricular assist devices compared to medical management. For the systematic reviews, data sources searched (up to 11 January 2022) were Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid for primary studies, and Epistemonikos and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for relevant systematic reviews. Trial registers were also searched, along with data and reports from intervention-specific registries. Economic studies were identified in EconLit, CEA registry and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED). The searches were supplemented by checking reference lists of included studies. An economic model (Markov) was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices compared to medical management from the United Kingdom National Health Service/personal social service perspective. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore uncertainties. Where possible, all analyses focused on the only currently available left ventricular assist device (HeartMate 3TM, Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) in the United Kingdom. Results: The clinical effectiveness review included 134 studies (240 articles). There were no studies directly comparing HeartMate 3 and medical management (a randomised trial is ongoing). The currently available left ventricular assist device improves patient survival and reduces stroke rates and complications compared to earlier devices and relative to medical management. For example, survival at 24 months is 77% with the HeartMate 3 device compared to 59% with the HeartMate II (MOMENTUM 3 trial). An indirect comparison demonstrated a reduction in mortality compared to medical management [relative risk of death 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.47); 24 months; this study]. The cost-effectiveness review included 5 cost analyses and 14 economic evaluations covering different generations of devices and with different perspectives. The reported incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year gained compared to medical management were lower for later generations of devices [as low as £46,207 (2019 prices; United Kingdom perspective; time horizon at least 5 years)]. The economic evaluation used different approaches to obtain the relative effects of current left ventricular assist devices compared to medical management from the United Kingdom National Health Service/personal social service perspective. All gave similar incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of £53,496-58,244 per quality-adjusted life-year gained - lifetime horizon. Model outputs were sensitive to parameter estimates relating to medical management. The findings did not materially differ on exploratory subgroup analyses based on the severity of heart failure. Limitations: There was no direct evidence comparing the clinical effectiveness of HeartMate 3 to medical management. Indirect comparisons made were based on limited data from heterogeneous studies regarding the severity of heart failure (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support score distribution) and possible for survival only. Furthermore, the cost of medical management of advanced heart failure in the United Kingdom is not clear. Conclusions: Using cost-effectiveness criteria applied in the United Kingdom, left ventricular assist devices compared to medical management for patients with advanced heart failure ineligible for heart transplant may not be cost-effective. When available, data from the ongoing evaluation of HeartMate 3 compared to medical management can be used to update cost-effectiveness estimates. An audit of the costs of medical management in the United Kingdom is required to further decrease uncertainty in the economic evaluation. Study registration: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020158987. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR128996) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 38. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
The majority of patients with advanced heart failure would be unsuitable for heart transplantation due to their age and comorbidities but selected patients could benefit from a left ventricular assist device. Left ventricular assist device therapy for such patients is known as 'destination therapy'. This is a long-term therapy that involves implanting a battery-powered pump to support the patient's heart. The purpose of this project was to collect and assess the research evidence on the effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices when used for destination therapy, and to estimate value for money compared to medical management from the United Kingdom National Health Service/personal social service perspective. This research identified that the currently available left ventricular assist device improves patient survival as well as reducing stroke rates and complications compared to earlier devices and relative to medical management. However, there is uncertainty in the evidence due to the absence of studies directly comparing the current device to medical therapy alone. An ongoing clinical trial is currently assessing this. It also means there is uncertainty about whether left ventricular assist devices could provide value for money as determined currently for the United Kingdom National Health Service.
Subject(s)
Cost-Benefit Analysis , Heart Failure , Heart-Assist Devices , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Technology Assessment, Biomedical , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart-Assist Devices/economics , United Kingdom , State MedicineABSTRACT
Heart failure (HF) is a significant global healthcare burden with increasing prevalence and high morbidity and mortality rates. The diagnosis and management of HF are closely tied to ejection fraction (EF), a crucial parameter for evaluating disease severity and determining treatment plans. This paper emphasizes the urgent need to maintain EF during heart failure, highlighting the distinct phenotypes of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It discusses the complexities of HFrEF pathophysiology and its negative impact on patient outcomes, stressing the importance of ongoing research and the development of effective therapeutic interventions to slow down the progression from preserved to reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, it explores the potential role of renal denervation in preserving ejection fraction and its implications for HFrEF management. This comprehensive review aims to offer valuable insights into the critical role of EF preservation in enhancing outcomes for patients with heart failure.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Stroke Volume , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/therapy , Humans , AnimalsABSTRACT
The prevalence of sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength, mass and function) in individuals with heart failure (HF) stands at a considerable level (approximately 20%), contributing to heightened mortality rates and diminished quality of life. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involve the presence of low-grade inflammation and a disturbance of the anabolic-catabolic protein balance. The nutritional assessment of patients with HF is a key aspect, and diverse diagnostic tools are employed based on patient profiles (outpatient, inpatient and nursing home). The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria serves as a consensus for diagnosing malnutrition. Given that edema can impact body mass index (BMI) in patients with HF, alternative body assessment technical methods, such as bioelectrical vector impedance (BiVA), BIA (without vector mode), computer tomography (CT) or clinical ultrasound (US), are useful. Scientific evidence supports the efficacy of both aerobic and resistance physical exercises in ameliorating and preventing muscle wasting associated with HF. Dietary strategies emphasize the importance of protein intake, while certain micronutrients like coenzyme Q10 or intravenous iron may offer benefits. This narrative review aims to present the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of muscle loss in individuals with heart failure and its consequential impact on prognosis.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Malnutrition , Nutrition Assessment , Sarcopenia , Humans , Sarcopenia/diagnosis , Sarcopenia/therapy , Sarcopenia/etiology , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/complications , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Malnutrition/therapy , Malnutrition/etiology , Nutritional Status , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly implanted in patients with advanced heart failure. Currently, LVAD care is predominantly concentrated at specialized tertiary care hospitals. However, the increasing workload and logistical burden for implanting centres pose significant challenges to accessing care for individual patients in remote areas. An emerging approach to LVAD patient management is the use of a shared care model (SCM), which facilitates collaboration between implanting centres and local non-implanting hospitals. This scoping review explores and synthesizes the current scientific evidence on the use of SCMs in LVAD care management. Eligible studies were identified in EMBASE, PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Findings were synthesized in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Of the 950 records screened, five articles met the inclusion criteria. Four review articles focused on the proposed benefits and challenges of using SCMs. Main benefits included improved patient satisfaction and continuity of care. Important challenges were initial education of non-implanting centre staff and maintaining competency. One prospective study showed that absence of LVAD-specific care was associated with impaired survival and higher rates of pump thrombosis and LVAD-related infections. The use of SCMs is a promising approach in the long-term management of LVAD patients. However, sufficient evidence about the impact of SCMs on patients and the healthcare system is not currently available. Standardized protocols based on prospective studies are needed to develop safe and effective shared care for LVAD patients.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Heart-Assist Devices , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/surgeryABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mechanical circulatory support is used frequently as a method of stabilizing patients with end stage heart failure who are unable to safely await allograft availability. While this technology has been fundamentally important in supporting patients with normal cardiac anatomy, it is still used infrequently in adult patients with congenital heart disease and end-stage heart failure. Here, we review the data on mechanical circulatory support technology in this small but growing population of patients with chronic heart disease prone to the development of circulatory failure. RECENT FINDINGS: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been increasingly employed in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) as a bridge to transplant. The new United Network for Organ Sharing listing system favoring temporary MCS use with a higher listing status offers another tool to stabilize ACHD patients and potentially shorten wait times. Both temporary and Durable MCS could help improve transplant candidacy and posttransplant outcomes in select groups of ACHD patients. SUMMARY: Durable and temporary MCS have the potential to significantly improve access to transplant and overall transplant outcomes in ACHD patients.
Subject(s)
Heart Defects, Congenital , Heart Failure , Heart Transplantation , Heart-Assist Devices , Waiting Lists , Humans , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Heart Defects, Congenital/therapy , Heart Defects, Congenital/physiopathology , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/surgery , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Adult , Treatment Outcome , Risk Factors , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Death, Sudden, Cardiac , Defibrillators, Implantable , Heart Failure , Humans , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/mortality , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Male , Female , Sex Factors , Risk Factors , Electric Countershock/instrumentation , Electric Countershock/adverse effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) increase the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This study aimed to evaluate the combined risk estimates of DM and CMD, assessed by the angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR), in patients with NSTEMI. METHODS: A total of 2212 patients with NSTEMI who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were retrospectively enrolled from three centers. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death or readmission for heart failure at a 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Post-PCI angio-IMR did not significantly differ between the DM group and the non-DM group (20.13 [17.91-22.70] vs. 20.19 [18.14-22.77], P = 0.530). DM patients exhibited a notably higher risk of cardiac death or readmission for heart failure at 2 years compared to non-DM patients (9.5% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). NSTEMI patients with both DM and CMD experienced the highest cumulative incidence of cardiac death or readmission for heart failure at 2 years (24.0%, P < 0.001). The combination of DM and CMD in NSTEMI patients were identified as the most powerful independent predictor for cardiac death or readmission for heart failure at 2 years (adjusted HR: 7.894, [95% CI, 4.251-14.659], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NSTEMI, the combination of DM and CMD is an independent predictor of cardiac death or readmission for heart failure. Angio-IMR could be used as an additional evaluation tool for the management of NSTEMI patients with DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ; Unique identifier: NCT05696379.
Subject(s)
Coronary Angiography , Coronary Circulation , Diabetes Mellitus , Microcirculation , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction , Patient Readmission , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Predictive Value of Tests , Vascular Resistance , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/mortality , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology , Aged , Risk Assessment , Retrospective Studies , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects , Risk Factors , Time Factors , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis , Treatment Outcome , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/mortality , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Heart Failure/diagnostic imaging , Heart Failure/therapy , Heart Failure/epidemiology , China/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many patients with heart failure (HF) are repeatedly hospitalized. Heart failure self-care may reduce readmission rates. Hospitalizations may also affect self-care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this secondary analysis was to test the hypotheses that better HF self-care is associated with a lower rate of all-cause readmissions and that readmissions motivate patients to improve their self-care. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients with HF (N = 400) who were enrolled during a stay at an urban teaching hospital between 2014 and 2016. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index v6.2 was administered during the hospital stay, along with other questionnaires, and repeated at 6-month intervals after discharge. All-cause readmissions and deaths were ascertained for 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 333 (83.3%) were readmitted at least once, and 117 (29.3%) of the patients died during the follow-up period. A total of 1581 readmissions were ascertained. Higher Self-Care of Heart Failure Index Maintenance scores predicted more rather than fewer readmissions (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.17; P < .01). Conversely, more readmissions predicted higher Maintenance scores (b = 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.56; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the hypothesis that HF self-care maintenance or management helps to reduce the rate of all-cause readmissions, but they do suggest that the experience of multiple readmissions may help to motivate improvements in HF self-care.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Patient Readmission , Self Care , Humans , Heart Failure/therapy , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Male , Female , Aged , Prospective Studies , Middle Aged , Longitudinal Studies , Aged, 80 and overABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Engaging in self-care behaviors improves outcomes in patients with heart failure. Identifying psychological factors that affect self-care behaviors and the role of resilience may inform interventions that improve outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to determine the relationships among depression, anxiety, resilience, and self-care, including whether resilience mediates or moderates the effects of depression and anxiety on self-care. METHODS: Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to estimate the relationships of depression, anxiety, and resilience with self-care behaviors. Mediating and moderating effects of resilience on the relationships of depression and anxiety with self-care were evaluated using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Depression and anxiety were associated with lower self-care. Higher resilience was associated with lower depression and anxiety, but resilience did not mediate or moderate the relationship of depression and anxiety with self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that foster resilience may improve outcomes by reducing anxiety and depression in patients with heart failure.
Subject(s)
Anxiety , Depression , Heart Failure , Resilience, Psychological , Self Care , Humans , Heart Failure/psychology , Heart Failure/therapy , Self Care/psychology , Female , Male , Depression/psychology , Anxiety/psychology , Middle Aged , Aged , Emotions , AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Real-world outcomes with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) depending on whether it's a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) are poorly studied. We aimed to compare the profile and clinical outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3 according to a BTT or a DT pre-implantation strategy. METHODS: All patients consecutively implanted with HeartMate 3 at our centre (University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2015-2022 were analysed in a retrospective observational study. Indications for HeartMate 3 implantation were advanced heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients were treated with a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet therapy after HeartMate 3 implantation and were followed up monthly at our institution. RESULTS: Among 71 patients implanted with HeartMate 3 between 2015 and 2022, 51 (71.8%) were implanted as a BTT and 20 (28.2%) as DT. Their median age was 58 (IQR: 52-69) years and 84% of patients were classified as INTERMACS profiles 2-4. The median follow-up duration was 18.3 (IQR: 7.5-33.9) months. Patients in the DT group were older than those in the BTT group (p <0.001) and had more chronic renal failure (p <0.001). They also had a lower 5-year survival rate (mean ± standard error: 87.3 ± 5.6% vs 49.4 ± 15.1%) and more adverse events such as renal dysfunction requiring temporary perioperative dialysis (p = 0.08) or bleeding (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Although patients supported with HeartMate 3 have favourable survival, those with LVAD-DT have poorer outcomes. There is a need to better select patients eligible for LVAD-DT in order to limit the burden of adverse events and improve their prognosis.