Epidemiological profile of patients with heart diseases with indications for palliative care

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Western countries, with heart failure being the final pathway of heart disease. Despite this, few patients are referred for Palliative Approach (PA). There is no consensus about the indication or the right time to refer patients to PA, whose main objective is to improve the patient's quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Characterize the epidemiological profile of patients with heart diseases with indication for PA in a hospital specialized in cardiology. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with analysis of 554 patients included for PA from Feb 2018 to Feb 2022. Frequency, median, percentage, mean, maximum and minimum value were used for statistical analysis RESULTS: The sample comprised of 554 patients (P), for PA 270( 57% ) were male, mean age 71 ±14 years, 179(37%) Catholic, 91(20%) Evangelical, With most frequent medical history of arrhythmia 242(51%), ventricular dysfunction 297(62%), Coronary artery bypass graft surgery 109 (23%) and stroke 175(15%). The most frequent clinical complains were Dyspnea 329(59.30%), Lower limb edema 96(17.39%), diagnosis at the time of PA was renal failure 351 P (74.4%) and of these 148 (31%) needed hemodialysis, Heart failure 177(31.9%) (HF), Sepsis/Septic shock 146(26,3), stroke 113(20%). The mean ejection fraction was 40%. As for performance in activities of daily living we used the Palliative performance Scale (PPS) where 282 (71,1%) needed life support. We evaluated the prognosis with the PPI scale, 345(56.8%) with high short-term mortality. Regarding treatment, 277(58,7%) of patients with PA had CVC, 277(58.7%) received broad spectrum antibiotics, 196(41.5%) dobutamine, 138(30%) noradrenaline, 164 (34.7%) on mecanichl ventilation 130(27.5%) on hemodialysis 116(24.6%) sedated, 81 (8%) with IAP. Among these patients 295(52.9%) died during hospitalization and 126 (22%) were able to be discharged. Only 26(4.7%) did not accept the PA protocol, the most frequent site of the PA was 245(51.1%) in the ICU, followed by the ward with 227 (48%) P. CONCLUSION: In our sample we identified that patients with heart disease in PA still receive futile interventions and therapies, and the most frequent site of palliation is the ICU. This shows a later indication for PC , in patients with advanced HF and at the end of life. Strategies and institutional protocols are needed for an earlier indication, in order to promote integral care and better qualy of life.