The Presence of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators is Rarely Addressed During Code Status Change.

Background: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are used to prevent sudden cardiac death, but they may provide unwanted shocks during end-of-life care. We aimed to study the frequency at which Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) discussions address ICD preferences in high-risk patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patient hospitalizations with the presence of an ICD, a change in code status to DNR, and a subsequent death during that hospitalization. Data collected included demographics, significant comorbidities, if and when ICD was discussed, and who performed code status discussions, and were analyzed for statistical significance. Results: 129 patients met study criteria, and 110 patients (85.3%) did not have a documented discussion addressing ICD deactivation. There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics between patients with ICD addressed or not addressed, nor were there differences noted between discussions performed by residents vs staff or with the presence of cardiology, critical care status, or with palliative care consultation. It was noted that specifically discussing intubation or cardioversion was associated with the discussion of ICD deactivation. Conclusion: ICD discussions were rarely documented in our high-risk population, highlighting a potential need for better in-chart visibility of ICDs and for focused education of clinicians who care for these patients at end of life.

Virtual reality for pain management in hospitalized patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience acute and/or chronic pain. Although virtual reality (VR) has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical settings, no studies have yet evaluated potential impact on pain management in this patient population. METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial at an urban academic hospital comparing VR against an active control to mitigate moderate-severe cancer disease and treatment-related pain. RESULTS: A total of 128 adult hospitalized patients with cancer (any tumor type) were randomized to 10 minutes of immersive VR distraction therapy or 10 minutes of two-dimensional guided imagery distraction therapy delivered by handheld tablet. Participants in the two arms were similar in age, sex, race, presence of metastatic disease, concurrent pain specialist consultation, and baseline opioid use. Although both groups experienced improved self-reported pain scores (primary outcome), those randomized to VR experienced significantly greater reduction in pain immediately after intervention compared with active control (p = .03). This difference was sustained for 24 hours as well (p = .004). Within-group analysis showed significant improvement in VR arm of pain bothersomeness (p = .05) and general distress (p = .03) as well. CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized adult patients with moderate-severe pain related to cancer and cancer therapies, VR provided more nonpharmacologic pain relief than active control and this benefit sustained long after conclusion of the intervention. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Virtual reality (VR), a developing technology that immerses the user in new environments, has been shown to improve pain in different patient populations. To test the role of VR in improving pain in hospitalized patients with cancer who report moderate-severe pain, we compared the impact of a 10-minute immersive VR intervention to that of a 10-minute two-dimensional guided imagery experience to improve self-reported pain scores. We found that, although both interventions improved pain, VR did so significantly more. Moreover, participants assigned to VR had sustained improvement in pain 24 hours later.

Prognostic Implications of Delirium After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients, delirium is a prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of a delirium diagnosis on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included all adult patients who received LVADs at our institution between January 2016 and December 2020. We compared preimplantation characteristics between the two groups, with and without a diagnosis of delirium, and compared their outcomes, including 1-month, 6-month, and in-hospital mortality, as well as reintubation rate, length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmission rates. RESULTS: In total, 361 patients (26.7% women and 75.8% African American) received durable LVADs. Ninety-four patients (26.1%) were diagnosed with delirium during the index admission. Preimplantation demographic characteristics, past medical and psychiatric conditions, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Profile, and laboratory values did not differ between the two groups with and without a diagnosis of delirium; older age (59 vs 56; P = 0.03) was associated with delirium. Delirium diagnosis was associated with higher 1-month (P = 0.007), 6-month (P = 0.004), and in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), unplanned reintubations (P < 0.001), and a lower likelihood of discharge home (P = 0.03). Total hospital and intensive care unit length of stay were higher in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, though these results were not statistically significant. Readmission to the hospital after index admission was quicker in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, but this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a diagnosis of delirium during the LVAD implantation admission was associated with higher mortality, adverse postsurgical outcomes, and unfavorable discharge dispositions. Future prospective research is needed to validate the prognostic implications of delirium in both the short and long term. Additionally, there is a need to identify modifiable risk factors associated with delirium to promote early diagnosis and implement evidence-based management strategies to enhance outcomes within this population.

The experiences among bereaved family members after a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) deactivation.

BACKGROUND: The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is increasing with an estimated 2500 devices implanted each year. When burdens of the LVAD outweigh benefits, most individuals with LVADs will undergo deactivation in the hospital setting. While the decision to deactivate an LVAD is considered an ethical practice, little is known about the experience and needs of bereaved family members. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the experiences of bereaved family members of patients who died following LVAD deactivation. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 11 family members of patients who underwent LVAD deactivation were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached and relevant themes emerged. RESULTS: This qualitative study was conducted to understand the experience of family members before, during and after the patient underwent LVAD deactivation, including their perceptions of engagement with the healthcare team. Analysis revealed six overarching themes from the experience, including 1) hope for survival, 2) communication, 3) spirituality and faith, 4) absence of physical suffering, 5) positive relationships with staff, 6) post-death care needs. CONCLUSION: Bereaved family members of patients undergoing LVAD deactivation have unique lived experiences and concerns. This study highlights the importance of effective communication not only near end-of-life but throughout the LVAD experience. While the positive relationships with staff and the absence of physical suffering were strengths identified by bereaved caregivers, there is an opportunity for improvement, particularly during the decision-making and post-death periods.

Disease-State Understanding and Experience of Patients Receiving Continuous Intravenous Inotropic Support as Palliative Therapy: A Multicenter Survey.

Background: The use of continuous intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) as palliative therapy in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) has increased over the past decade. CIIS improves New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class but does not impact survival. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patients' understanding of the therapeutic intent of CIIS, prognostic awareness, and quality of life with CIIS. Design: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study of patients with advanced HF receiving CIIS as palliative therapy between 2020 and 2022. Settings/Subjects: An investigator-developed survey instrument was administered to outpatients on CIIS in the United States via telephone. Measurements: Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Forty-eight patients, 63% male, 81% African American/Black, with a mean age of 68.9 (standard deviation 12.3) years, participated in this study. The majority of patients responded that they expected CIIS to make them feel better (79%) and increase longevity (75%), but few expected that CIIS would cure their HF (19%). Patients described their overall quality of life on CIIS as not better/worse (19%), somewhat better (46%), and significantly better (35%) and reported high treatment satisfaction (87% were at least somewhat satisfied). Conclusions: In this study, patients report improved quality of life with CIIS as palliative therapy. Patients on CIIS as palliative therapy expected increased survival on CIIS, which is incongruent with current evidence. Further studies on how we can improve care processes so that patients have accurate prognostic and disease-state awareness, and receive goal concordant care, are warranted.

The role of palliative care for patients with left ventricular assist devices: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the care of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Compared to guideline-directed medical and device therapies, LVAD technology improves quality of life and reduces mortality. Palliative care specialists have an important role to play in the pre-LVAD evaluation phase, in the post-operative longitudinal care phase, and at the end-of-life in patients with LVADs. The objective of this narrative review is to describe the evidence regarding the role of palliative care for patients with LVAD across the care continuum: pre-implantation, post-implantation, and at the end-of-life. METHODS: Clinical trials relevant to care of patients with HF, LVADs, and the role of palliative care were analyzed for this narrative review. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Palliative care involvement in 'preparedness planning' has been described in the literature, though no standardized protocol for preparedness planning exists, to date. In the longitudinal care phase after LVAD implantation, the role of palliative care is less defined; depending on institutional culture and availability of palliative care, patients may be referred based on symptom-management needs or for advance care planning (ACP). At the end-of-life, either due to an acute event or a gradually worsening condition, palliative care is often engaged to participate in discussions regarding treatment preferences and to consider transitions in care from disease-directed treatments to comfort-focused treatments. Given the medical complexity of dying with LVADs, most patients with an LVAD die in hospital with support from palliative care teams for the physical, existential, and psychosocial distress that accompanies end-of-life and LVAD deactivation. CONCLUSIONS: In this narrative review, we describe the integral role of palliative care throughout the care continuum of patients living with LVADs and suggest opportunities for further research.

Benefits and Harms of Continuous Intravenous Inotropic Support as Palliative Therapy: A Single-Institution, Retrospective Analysis.

Use of continuous intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) strictly as palliative therapy for patients with ACC/AHA Stage D (end-stage) Heart Failure (HF) has increased significantly. The harms of CIIS therapy may detract from its benefits. To describe benefits (improvement in NYHA functional class) and harms (infection, hospitalization, days-spent-in-hospital) of CIIS as palliative therapy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with end-stage HF initiated on CIIS as palliative therapy at an urban, academic center in the United States between 2014-2016. Clinical outcomes were extracted, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Seventy-five patients, 72% male, 69% African American/Black, with a mean age 64.5 years (SD = 14.5) met study criteria. Mean duration of CIIS was 6.5 months (SD = 7.7). Most patients (69.3%) experienced improvement in NYHA functional class from class IV to class III. Sixty-seven patients (89.3%) were hospitalized during their time on CIIS, with a mean of 2.7 hospitalizations per patient (SD = 3.3). One-third of patients (n = 25) required at least one intensive care unit (ICU) admission while on CIIS therapy. Eleven patients (14.7%) experienced catheter-related blood stream infection. Patients spent an average of 20.6% (SD = 22.8), approximately 40 days, of their time on CIIS admitted to the study institution. Patients on CIIS as palliative therapy report improvement in functional class, survive 6.5 months following initiation, but spend a significant number of days in the hospital. Prospective studies quantifying the symptomatic benefit and the direct and indirect harms of CIIS as palliative therapy are warranted.

Determinants of Health and Outcomes in Medicare Recipients With Heart Disease: A Population Study.

CONTEXT: Heart disease (HD) is a primary cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. While there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the contribution of social determinants of health (SDoH) to HD outcomes, the impact of combined or individual SDoH on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with HD is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) to explore the relationship of SDoH with HRQoL, advance care planning, and treatment preferences in Medicare beneficiaries with HD. METHODS: The study design was a secondary data analysis using latent class analysis (LCA) and multivariable analysis of NHATS participants with HD, Round 8, that included End of Life Plans and Care questions. RESULTS: 1202 participants, median age 81 years, 57% female, 70% non-Hispanic White, 20% non-Hispanic Black, 10% Other. LCA identified two SDoH risk profiles (low/high), using 12 measures within the NHATS Economic and Social Consequences key concept area. The high-risk SDoH profile participants were more likely to have fair/poor HRQoL, and identify as female, non-White (P < 0.0001); and less likely to have completed advance care planning (P < 0.0001). High-risk SDoH participants were more likely to want life-prolonging treatments (P < 0.0001), however, this association was not significant after adjusting for age, sex, and race (P = 0.344). CONCLUSION: Higher risk SDoH profiles are associated with reduced HRQoL, reduced advance care planning completion, female sex, and non-White race in a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. These findings provide opportunities to improve SDoH-related care practices in older patients with HD.

Massage therapy in palliative care populations: a narrative review of literature from 2012 to 2022.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients living with serious illness are often eligible for palliative care and experience physical symptoms including pain or dyspnea and psychological distress that negatively impacts health-related quality of life and other outcomes. Such patients often benefit from massage therapy to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life when such treatment is available. At present, no synthesis or review exists exploring massage therapy specifically provided with palliative care patient populations. This review is needed because those with serious illness are a growing and important vulnerable population. Massage therapy is used frequently and in many healthcare delivery contexts, but the body of research has not led to its systematic integration or broad acceptance. METHODS: PubMed search for clinical research focused on massage therapy for palliative care-eligible populations from 2012 and 2022. Search terms included keywords: massage, massage therapy, serious illness, advanced illness, and palliative care. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Thirteen unique articles were identified through the PubMed database search and from a manual review of references. Study designs of included articles were one pilot, one quasi-experimental single-arm study, one mixed-methods study, two qualitative (both with hospital-based palliative care populations), seven randomized controlled trials, and one retrospective cohort analysis in a major Veterans Health Administration health care facility. CONCLUSIONS: Variability was found in study design, scope, sample size, and outcomes for related articles published in the last ten years. Few eligible interventions reflected real-world massage therapy delivery suggesting more clinical research is needed to examine massage provided by massage therapists trained to work with palliative care populations. Gaps in the current body of existing evidence supports the need for this review and recommendations for the direction of future related research.

Clinical Protocol for Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation at End of Life.

As patients live longer with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, many will either suffer an acute event or develop a gradual, progressive disease that results in a terminal prognosis. At the end-of-life, patients, and more often, their families, will be faced with the decision to deactivate the LVAD to allow natural death. The process of LVAD deactivation carries some distinct features that distinguish it from withdrawal of other forms of life-sustaining medical technology: multidisciplinary collaboration is paramount; prognosis after deactivation is short, typically minutes-hours; and premedication doses of symptom-focused medications are typically higher than other situations involving withdrawal of life-sustaining medical technologies given the precipitous decline in cardiac output following LVAD deactivation. In this Case Discussion, we introduce the complexity of planned in-hospital LVAD deactivation through a clinical case, share our detailed institutional checklist and order set for LVAD deactivation, and broach multidisciplinary clinical protocol development processes.

Cardiac Related Psychosocial Distress and Traumatic Distress in Individuals with Advanced Heart Failure.

Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study explored relationships between cardiac related psychosocial distress, traumatic distress, and the number of lifetime traumas in people with advanced heart failure. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, a convenience sample of participants with advanced heart failure who received treatment in Washington, DC, completed standardized measures. Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in mean number of exposures and distress associated with advanced heart failure therapies and linear relationships between exposures and traumatic distress, distress and traumatic distress, and exposures and distress, as well as between the number of exposures and distress and traumatic distress and between the distress and traumatic distress. Multivariate analysis suggested that the higher the number of reported traumatic events, the higher the distress, and the higher the distress, the higher the traumatic distress. Social workers and allied team members should consider how a patient's distress relates to traumatic distress in the advanced stage heart failure population.

Massage Therapy for Hospitalized Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT: Massage therapy is increasingly used in palliative settings to improve quality of life (QoL) and symptom burden; however, the optimal massage "dosage" remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To compare three massage dosing strategies among inpatients receiving palliative care consultation. METHODS: At an urban academic hospital, we conducted a three-armed randomized trial examining three different doses of therapist-applied massage to test change in overall QoL and symptoms among hospitalized adult patients receiving palliative care consultation for any indication (Arm I: 10-min massage daily × 3 days; Arm II: 20-min massage daily × 3 days; Arm III: single 20-min massage). Primary outcome measure was single-item McGill QoL question. Secondary outcomes measured pain/symptoms, rating of peacefulness, and satisfaction with intervention. Data were collected at baseline, pre- and post-treatment, and one-day postlast treatment (follow-up). Repeated measure analysis of variance and paired t-test were used to determine significant differences. RESULTS: Total n = 387 patients were 55.7 (±15.49) years old, mostly women (61.2%) and African-American (65.6%). All three arms demonstrated within-group improvement at follow-up for McGill QoL (all P < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found. Finally, repeated measure analyses demonstrated time to predict immediate improvement in distress (P ≤ 0.003) and pain (P ≤ 0.02) for all study arms; however, only improvement in distress sustained at follow-up measurement in arms with three consecutive daily massages of 10 or 20 minutes. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy in complex patients with advanced illness was beneficial beyond dosage. Findings support session length (10 or 20 minutes) was predictive of short-term improvements while treatment frequency (once or three consecutive days) predicted sustained improvement at follow-up.

Association Between Patient Race and Ethnicity and Outcomes With COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis From a Large Mid-Atlantic Health System.

BACKGROUND: Members of racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The objective of the study is to describe associations between race and ethnicity on clinical outcomes such as need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with severe COVID-19 infection admitted within a large, not-for-profit healthcare system in the mid-Atlantic region between March and July, 2020. Patient demographic data and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the electronic health record. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate associations between race and ethnicity and the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study population (N = 2931) was stratified into 1 of 3 subgroups: non-Hispanic White (n = 466), non-Hispanic Black (n = 1611), and Hispanic (n = 654). The average age of White, Black, and Hispanic patients was 69 ± 17.06, 64 ± 15.9, and 50 ± 15.53 years old, respectively (P < .001). Compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients were at increased odds of needing mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] Black = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.75, P < .05; OR Hispanic = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.93, P < .05). When compared to White patients, Hispanic patients were at decreased odds of death (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.63, P < .001). However, when adjusting for age, there were no statistically significant differences in the odds of death between these groups (adjusted OR [aOR] Black = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.80 to 1.38, P = .71; aOR Hispanic = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.60, P = .62). CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrated that Hispanic patients were more likely require mechanical ventilation but had lower mortality when compared to White patients, with lower average age likely mediating this association. These findings emphasize the importance of outreach efforts to communities of color to increase prevention measures and vaccination uptake to reduce infection with COVID-19.

A Pilot Study to Understand the Role of Medical Humanities in Medical Education.

Over the past 20 years, the number of colleges offering programs in medical humanities has increased, and through the Medical Humanities Initiative at Georgetown University, this pilot study sought to understand students perceived benefits of a medical humanities curriculum. Based on a qualitative thematic analysis of free-response survey reflections from students enrolled in three unique medical humanities courses, six themes emerged. The themes help capture the role that a medical humanities education can play in shaping future clinicians and demonstrate that these courses not only provided a distinct teaching methodology from the scientific classroom but also appeared to deepen the students' understanding of the humanistic aspects of medicine and its many facets.

Bridge to nowhere: A retrospective single-center study on patients using chronic intravenous inotropic support as bridge therapy who do not receive surgical therapy.

Background: Many patients with advanced heart failure (HF) are administered chronic intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) as bridge to surgical therapy; some ultimately never receive surgery. We aimed to describe reasons patients "crossover" from CIIS as bridge therapy to palliative therapy, and compare end-of-life outcomes to patients initiated on CIIS as palliative therapy. Methods: Single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients on CIIS as bridge or palliative therapy between 2010 and 2016; data obtained through review of health records and multi-disciplinary selection meeting minutes, was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of 246 patients discharged on CIIS as bridge therapy, 37 (16%) (male n = 28, 76%; African American n = 22, 60%) ultimately never received surgery. 67 matched patients on CIIS as palliative therapy were included for analysis (male n = 47, 70%; African American n = 47, 70%). The most common reasons for "crossover" from CIIS as bridge therapy to palliative therapy were frailty (n = 10, 27%), cardiac arrest (n = 5, 13.5%), and progressive non-cardiac illnesses (n = 6, 16.2%). A similar percentage of patients in the bridge (n = 28, 76%) and palliative (n = 48, 72%) groups died outside the hospital (P=0.66); however, fewer bridge patients received hospice care compared to the palliative group (35% vs 69%, P < 0.001). Comparing patients who died in the hospital, bridge patients (n = 9; 100%) were more likely to die in the intensive care unit than palliative patients (n = 8; 42%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients on CIIS as bridge therapy who do not ultimately receive surgical therapy "crossover" to palliative intention due to frailty, or development of or identification of serious illnesses. Nevertheless, these "bridge to nowhere" patients are less likely to receive palliative care or hospice and more likely to die in the intensive care unit than patients on CIIS as palliative therapy.

Using Virtual Learning to Develop Palliative Care Skills Among Humanitarian Health Workers in the Rohingya Refugee Response in Bangladesh.

Background: Palliative care is an essential component of health responses in humanitarian settings, yet it remains largely unavailable in these settings, due to limited availability of palliative care training for healthcare professionals. Online training programs which connect experts to clinicians in the field have been proposed as an innovative strategy to build palliative care capacity humanitarian settings. Objective: To describe the implementation and evaluate the impact of delivering palliative care education using an established virtual learning model (Project ECHO) for healthcare clinicians working in the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh. Program acceptability and the impacts on learners' self-reported knowledge, comfort, and practice changes were evaluated. Methods: Using the Project ECHO model, an education program consisting of 7 core sessions and monthly mentoring sessions was developed. Each session included a didactic lecture, case presentation and interactive discussion. Surveys of participants were conducted before and after the program to assess knowledge, confidence, and attitudes about palliative care as well as learning experiences from the program. Results: This virtual palliative care training program engaged 250 clinicians, including nurses (35%), medical assistants (28%) and physicians (20%). Most participants rated the program as a valuable learning experience (96%) that they would recommend to their colleagues (98%). Participants reported improvements in their knowledge and comfort related to palliative care after participation in the program, and had improved attitudes towards palliative care with demonstrated statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Virtual training is a feasible model to support healthcare providers in a humanitarian health response. Project ECHO can help to address the urgent need for palliative care in humanitarian responses by supporting healthcare workers to provide essential palliative care to the growing number of individuals with serious health-related suffering in humanitarian settings.

In-Hospital Left Ventricular Assist Devices Deactivation and Death Experience: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis.

Best practices for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) deactivation at end-of-life (EOL) have yet to be elucidated. We conducted a single-institution retrospective review of patients who died following LVAD deactivation between January 2017 and March 2020. Data were obtained from institutional databases and electronic health record and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Fifty-eight patients (70% male, 70% African American, median age 62 years) were categorized by implant strategy: bridge therapy (BT, N = 22, 38%) or destination therapy (DT, N = 36, 62%). Clinical events leading to deactivation were categorized either acute ( e.g. , stroke [ N = 31, 53%]), gradual decline ( N = 12, 21%), or complications during index hospitalization ( N = 15, 26%). Implant strategy was not associated with clinical trajectory leading to EOL ( p = 0.67), hospital unit of death ( p = 0.13), or use of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.69) or renal replacement therapy ( p = 0.81) during terminal hospitalization. Overall time from admission to code status change was mean 27.0 days (SD 30.3 days). Compared with BT patients, DT experienced earlier do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders ( p ≤ 0.01) and shorter survival post-deactivation ( p ≤ 0.01). Deactivations after gradual decline tended to occur outside ICUs, compared with acute events or index implant-related complications ( p = 0.04). Implant strategy was not associated with differences in EOL experience except regarding timing of DNR order and survival post-deactivation.

Perceived symptoms as the primary indicators for 30-day heart failure readmission.

BACKGROUND: To identify 30-day rehospitalizations in patients discharged with heart failure (HF) based on clinical indications, physiologic measures and symptoms. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with heart failure participated. After discharge to home, clinical indicators of dyspnea, fatigue, orthopnea, dyspnea with exertion, daily weight, edema, heart rate, blood pressure, mental condition, medication adherence, and overall well-being were reported by participants daily for up to 30 days. RESULTS: Joint modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event approach was applied to assess the association of readmission with longitudinal measurements. There was no association between demographic, physiological, or laboratory variables and re-hospitalization within 30 days post discharge. Perceptions of dyspnea (p = .012) and feeling unwell (p < .001) were associated with rehospitalization. Patients struggling to breath were 10.7 times more likely to be readmitted than those not struggling to breath. CONCLUSION: Perceived measures, particularly dyspnea and feeling unwell were more important factors than demographic, physiological, or laboratory parameters in predicting 30-day rehospitalizations in this racially diverse cohort. The symptomatic experience of heart failure is an important indicator of rehospitalization.