Introducing nurse-led heart failure clinics in Swedish primary care settings

Implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction in Belgium: a Delphi panel approach

BACKGROUND

The 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommended a shift from a traditional hierarchical treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to a four-pillar medical therapy strategy intended for near-simultaneous initiation. However, practical guidance for implementation in clinical practice is lacking. To address this, a Delphi Panel of 12 Belgian heart failure experts aimed to obtain consensus on integrating guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in HFrEF patients in Belgian clinical practice, considering local specificities, including reimbursement criteria.

METHODS

A geographically representative sample of 12 Belgian cardiologists engaged in a three-round Delphi process, evolving from 20 open-ended questions to 39 statements. A qualitative analysis after the first round resulted in expert statements for the subsequent questionnaire, categorised into treatment for newly diagnosed and chronic HFrEF patients.

RESULTS

The Delphi consensus revealed four key findings: (i) Agreement on initiating the four medical cornerstones within 7-14 days of HFrEF diagnosis, prioritising initiation over individual class up-titration; (ii) Lack of consensus on a fixed sequence for initiation due to patient variability and national reimbursement criteria; (iii) Emphasis on treatment adjustment based on the patient's clinical presentation and comorbidities; (iv) Recognition of the crucial role of regular follow-up visits, allowing optimisation of medical therapy where appropriate.

CONCLUSION

This national Delphi consensus addresses clinical implementation of GDMT in HFrEF patients for Belgian cardiologists. The consensus highlights the importance of swift implementation of the four cornerstone medical therapies in newly diagnosed HFrEF patients, individualising treatment sequencing, and ensuring regular follow-up to optimise therapy.

An Innovative Patient-Centred Approach to Heart Failure Management: The Best Care Heart Failure Integrated Disease-Management Program

Background

The management of heart failure (HF) is challenging because of the complexities in recommended therapies. Integrated disease management (IDM) is an effective model, promoting guideline-directed care, but the impact of IDM in the community setting requires further evaluation.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of community-based IDM. Patient characteristics were described, and outcomes using a pre- and post-intervention design were HF-related health-service use, quality of life, and concordance with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Results

715 patients were treated in the program (2016 to 2023), 219 in a community specialist-care clinic, and 496 in 25 primary-care clinics. The overall cohort was predominantly male (60%), with a mean age of 73.5 years (± 10.7), and 60% with HF with reduced ejection fraction. In patients with ≥ 6 months of follow-up (n = 267), pre vs post annualized rates of HF-related acute health-service use decreased from 36.3 to 8.5 hospitalizations per 100 patients per year, P < 0.0001, from 31.8 to 13.1 emergency department visits per 100 patients per year, P < 0.0001, and from 152.8 to 110.0 urgent physician visits per 100 patients per year, P = 0.0001. The level of concordance with GDMT improved; the number of patients receiving triple therapy and quadruple therapy increased by 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4%,17.8%) and 19.6% (95% CI, 12.0%, 27.3%), respectively. Within these groups, optimal dosing was achieved in 42.5% (95% CI, 32.0%, 53.6%) and 35.0% (95% CI, 23.1%, 48.4%), respectively. In patients with at least one follow-up visit (n = 286), > 50% experienced a clinically relevant improvement in their quality of life.

Conclusions

A community-based IDM program for HF, may reduce HF-related acute health-service use, improve quality of life and level of concordance with GDMT. These encouraging preliminary outcomes from a real-world program evaluation require confirmation in a randomized controlled trial.

Study on the management effect of chronic disease intelligent information management platform in post percutaneous coronary intervention patients

BACKGROUND

In 2019, approximately 330 million individuals in China were affected by cardiovascular diseases, with 11.4 million cases specifically attributed to coronary artery disease (CAD). A national public health report indicated that the mortality rate for CAD ranged from 121.59 to 130.14 per 100,000 individuals in 2019. The treatments for CAD include lifestyle changes, medications, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the management effect of a digital health program in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This retrospective study compares blood pressure, blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), medication adherence, lifestyle modification, and readmission rate between digital health users and traditional follow-up in post-PCI CAD patients.

RESULTS

In this study of 698 CAD patients, the 6-month readmission rate of all patients was 27.4%, with digital health users showing lower rates than those in traditional follow-up (22.6% vs. 32.1%, p= 0.005). Digital health users had significantly higher target achievements rates in blood pressure (79.7% vs. 54.7%, p< 0.001), blood glucose (98.9% vs. 82.5%, p< 0.001) and LDL-C level (71.3% vs. 52.7%, p< 0.001) at 6-month post-PCI. The digital health group had more patients adopting lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. In risk factor analysis, digital health utilization (OR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.40-0.90, p= 0.014) and multivessel disease (double: OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.09-2.72, p= 0.02; triple: OR = 2.59, 95%CI: 1.61-4.17, p< 0.001) were independent predictors of CAD-related cardiovascular readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-PCI patients using digital health platforms exhibited improved blood pressure, glucose, and LDL-C control, greater treatment adherence, enhanced lifestyle changes, and reduced six-month readmission rates versus those with traditional follow-up.

Effectiveness of nurse-led heart failure clinic: A systematic review

Objectives

Heart failure is a stage of various cardiovascular diseases and constitutes a growing major public health problem worldwide. Nurse-led heart failure clinics play an important role in managing heart failure. All nurse-led heart failure clinic services are clinic-based. We conducted a systematic review to describe the contents and impact of nurse-led heart failure clinics.

Methods

A review of nurse-led heart failure clinic research was undertaken in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search was initially conducted on October 23, 2022 and updated on November 21, 2023. Articles were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal criteria by two independent reviewers. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022352209).

Results

Twelve articles were included in this systematic review. The nurse-led heart failure clinic contents were: medication uptitration, educational counselling, evidence-based transitional care, psychosocial support, physical examination and mental well-being assessment, therapy monitoring and adjustment, follow-up, and phone consultations. Most studies reported largely positive clinical outcomes in nurse-led heart failure clinics. Four studies examined the quality of life and reported conflicting results; four studies examined medication titration efficacy, and the results were generally positive. Only two studies examined cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

Nurse-led heart failure clinics have shown a largely positive impact on patient outcomes, quality of life, and medication titration efficacy. More randomised controlled trials and other studies are needed to obtain more robust conclusions.

Effectiveness of integrated person-centered interventions for older people's care: Review of Swedish experiences and experts' perspective

Older adults have multiple medical and social care needs, requiring a shift toward an integrated person-centered model of care. Our objective was to describe and summarize Swedish experiences of integrated person-centered care by reviewing studies published between 2000 and 2023, and to identify the main challenges and scientific gaps through expert discussions. Seventy-three publications were identified by searching MEDLINE and contacting experts. Interventions were categorized using two World Health Organization frameworks: (1) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), and (2) Integrated People-Centered Health Services (IPCHS). The included 73 publications were derived from 31 unique and heterogeneous interventions pertaining mainly to the micro- and meso-levels. Among publications measuring mortality, 15% were effective. Subjective health outcomes showed improvement in 24% of publications, morbidity outcomes in 42%, disability outcomes in 48%, and service utilization outcomes in 58%. Workshop discussions in Stockholm (Sweden), March 2023, were recorded, transcribed, and summarized. Experts emphasized: (1) lack of rigorous evaluation methods, (2) need for participatory designs, (3) scarcity of macro-level interventions, and (4) importance of transitioning from person- to people-centered integrated care. These challenges could explain the unexpected weak beneficial effects of the interventions on health outcomes, whereas service utilization outcomes were more positively impacted. Finally, we derived a list of recommendations, including the need to engage care organizations in interventions from their inception and to leverage researchers' scientific expertise. Although this review provides a comprehensive snapshot of interventions in the context of Sweden, the findings offer transferable perspectives on the real-world challenges encountered in this field.

Factors affecting hospitalization and mortality in a retrospective study of elderly patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) has a high prevalence in an elderly population and leads to a substantial hospitalization and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that affect hospitalization and mortality in an elderly population.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted of HF patients aged 76-95 years residing in Region Halland, Sweden. Between 2013 and 2019, a total of 3134 patients received a novel diagnosis of HF and were subsequently monitored for one year using data from a healthcare database. The patients were categorized into HF-phenotypes according to ejection fraction (EF) and those with HF diagnose solely based on clinical criteria with no defined EF. Cox regression analysis for hospital admissions and mortality was evaluated adjusted for pharmacotherapies, healthcare utilization and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Echocardiogram was performed in 56% of the patients and 51% were treated with recommended HF pharmacotherapy with betablockers combined with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibition. The average number of inpatient days was 10.7 while the average number of visits to primary care physician was 5.4 and 8.7 to primary care nurse respectively. A Cox regression analysis for hospital admissions and mortality revealed that an eGFR < 30 ml/min was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.88 (confidence interval [CI] 1.56-2.28), elevated NT-proBNP with an HR of 2.09 (CI 1.59-2.76), diabetes with an HR of 1.31 (CI 1.13-1.52), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an HR of 1.51 (CI 1.29-1.77). Having a primary care physician visit was associated to an HR of 0.16 (CI 0.14-0.19), and the use of recommended heart failure pharmacotherapy was associated with an HR of 0.52 (CI 0.44-0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

In a Swedish elderly population with HF, factors such as advancing age, kidney dysfunction, elevated NT-proBNP levels, diabetes, and COPD were associated with an increased risk of both mortality and hospitalization. Conversely, patients who received recommended heart failure treatment and made regular visits to their primary care physician were associated with a decreased risk. This indicates that elderly patients with HF benefit from recommended HF treatment and highlights that follow-ups in primary care could be advantageous.

Heart Failure Nurses within the Primary Care Setting

Cardiology services within primary care often focus on disease prevention, early identification of illness and prompt referral for diagnosis and specialist treatment. Due to advances in pharmaceuticals, implantable cardiac devices and surgical interventions, individuals with heart failure are living longer, which can place a significant strain on global healthcare resources. Heart failure nurses in a primary care setting offer a wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise across all phases of the heart failure trajectory and are able to support patients, family members and other community services, including general practitioners. This review examines the recently published evidence on the current and potential future practice of heart failure nurses within primary care.

Heart failure pharmacological treatments and outcomes in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Guideline recommendations for the treatment of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) derive from small subgroups in post-hoc analyses of randomized trials.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated predictors of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (RASI/ARNI) and beta-blockers use, and the associations between these medications and mortality/morbidity in a large real-world cohort with HFmrEF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with HFmrEF (EF 40-49%) from the Swedish HF Registry were included. The associations between medications and cardiovascular (CV) mortality/HF hospitalization (HFH), and all-cause mortality were assessed through Cox regressions in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. A positive control analysis was performed in patients with EF < 40%, while a negative control outcome analysis had cancer-related hospitalization as endpoint. Of 12 421 patients with HFmrEF, 84% received RASI/ARNI and 88% beta-blockers. Shared-independent predictors of RASI/ARNI and beta-blockers use were younger age, being an outpatient, follow-up in specialty care, and hypertension. In the matched cohorts, use of both RASI/ARNI and beta-blocker use was separately associated with lower risk of CV mortality/HFH [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83-0.98 and HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74-0.90, respectively] and of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.69-0.81 and HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72-0.87, respectively). Results were consistent at the positive control analysis, and there were no associations between treatment use and the negative control outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

RASI/ARNI and beta-blockers were extensively used in this large real-world cohort with HFmrEF. Their use was safe since associated with lower mortality and morbidity. Our findings confirm the real-world evidence from previous post-hoc analyses of trials, and represent a further call for implementing guideline recommendations.

Real-world use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: Data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry

AIMS

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce mortality/morbidity in heart failure (HF). We explored the implementation of SGLT2i over time, and patient characteristics associated with their use, in a large, nationwide population with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with HFrEF (ejection fraction <40%), no type 1 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <20 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or on dialysis, registered in the Swedish HF Registry between 1 November 2020 and 5 August 2022 were included. Independent predictors of use were investigated by multivariable logistic regressions. Of 8192 patients, 37% received SGLT2i. Use increased overall from 20.5% to 59.0% over time, from 46.2% and 12.5% to 69.8% and 55.4% in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, from 14.7% and 22.3% to 58.0% and 59.8% in eGFR <60 versus ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 , from 21.0% and 18.9% to 61.6% and 52.0% in males versus females, from 24.2% and 18.0% to 60.8% and 57.7% in patients with versus without recent HF hospitalization, from 26.1% and 19.8% to 54.7% and 59.6% in inpatients versus outpatients, and from 20.2% and 21.2% to 59.2% and 58.7% in those with HF duration <6 versus ≥6 months, respectively. Important characteristics associated with SGLT2i use were male sex, recent HF hospitalization, specialized HF follow-up, lower ejection fraction, type 2 diabetes, higher education level, use of other HF/cardiovascular interventions. Older age, higher blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and anaemia were associated with less use. Discontinuation rate at 6 and 12 months was 13.1% and 20.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of SGLT2i increased three-fold over 2 years. Although this indicates a more rapid translation of trial results and guidelines into clinical practice compared to previous HF drugs, further efforts are advocated to complete the implementation process while avoiding inequities across different patient subgroups and discontinuations.

Pre-discharge and early post-discharge management of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: A scientific statement by the Heart Failure Association of the ESC

Acute heart failure is a major cause of urgent hospitalizations. These are followed by marked increases in death and rehospitalization rates, which then decline exponentially though they remain higher than in patients without a recent hospitalization. Therefore, optimal management of patients with acute heart failure before discharge and in the early post-discharge phase is critical. First, it may prevent rehospitalizations through the early detection and effective treatment of residual or recurrent congestion, the main manifestation of decompensation. Second, initiation at pre-discharge and titration to target doses in the early post-discharge period, of guideline-directed medical therapy may improve both short- and long-term outcomes. Third, in chronic heart failure, medical treatment is often left unchanged, so the acute heart failure hospitalization presents an opportunity for implementation of therapy. The aim of this scientific statement by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology is to summarize recent findings that have implications for clinical management both in the pre-discharge and the early post-discharge phase after a hospitalization for acute heart failure.

Mixed‐methods evaluation of a multifaceted heart failure intervention in general practice: the OSCAR‐HF pilot study

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is an important health problem for which multidisciplinary care is recommended, yet few studies involve primary care practitioners in the multidisciplinary management of HF. We set up a multifaceted prospective observational trial, OSCAR-HF, piloting audit and feedback, natriuretic peptide testing at the point of care, and the assistance of a specialist HF nurse in primary care. The aim was to optimize HF care in general practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is an analysis at 6 month follow-up of the study interventions of the OSCAR-HF pilot study, a nonrandomized, noncontrolled prospective observational trial conducted in eight Belgian general practices [51 general practitioners (GPs)]. Patients who were assessed by their GP to have HF constituted the OSCAR-HF study population. We used descriptive statistics and mixed-effects modelling for the quantitative analysis and thematic analysis of the focus group interviews. There was a 10.2% increase in the registered HF population after 6 months of follow-up (n = 593) compared with baseline (n = 538) and a 27% increase in objectified HF diagnoses (baseline n = 359 to 456 at T6 M). Natriuretic peptide testing (with or without referral) accounted for 54% (n = 60/111) of the newly registered HF diagnoses. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction who received their target dosage of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors or beta-blockers at 6 months compared with baseline (P = 0.9). Patients who received an HF nurse intervention (n = 53) had significantly worse quality of life at baseline [difference in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score 9.2 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0, 14] and had a significantly greater improvement in quality-of-life scores at the 6 month follow-up [change in MLHFQ score -9.8 points; 95% CI -15, -4.5] than patients without an HF nurse intervention. GPs found audit and feedback valuable but time intensive. Natriuretic peptides were useful, but the point-of-care test was impractical, and the assistance of an HF nurse was a useful addition to routine HF care.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of audit and feedback combined with natriuretic peptide testing was a successful strategy to increase the number of registered and objectified HF diagnoses at 6 months. GPs and HF nurses selected patients with worse quality-of-life scores at baseline for the HF nurse intervention, which led to a significantly greater improvement in quality-of-life scores at the 6 month follow-up compared with patients without an HF nurse intervention. The interventions were deemed feasible and useful by the participating GPs with some specific remarks that can be used for optimization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02905786), registered on 14 September 2016 at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications: A scoping review protocol

Oncology has been undergoing a profound transition in the last ten years with the increased usage in oral anti-cancer medication. Approximately 25% of all anti-cancer medication is now designed for oral use and this is likely to increase prospectively. These treatments are convenient for patients and are often preferred by them, yet there are similar safety and toxicity concerns as there are to intravenous treatment. Oral anti-cancer medications (OAMs) have the potential to alleviate capacity issues in cancer treating units as patients receive their treatment at home, however there remains a requirement for safe and efficient assessment and care. Consequently, the management of patients on OAMs is of paramount importance. The optimum setting, whether within primary or secondary care, in addition to the appropriate health care professional to carry out patient assessment and monitoring needs to be established. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review which aims to systematically and comprehensively map the literature on the current management of adults receiving OAMs. The review will follow the published guidance to direct the various steps involved. The protocol will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework to ensure methodological and reporting quality. Independent full text review will be performed by two reviewers and any disagreements resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. The process will be iterative in nature. This scoping review will provide a narrative synthesis and map the literature on the management of individuals receiving OAMs. This work is an appropriate initial stage in presenting the literature to inform the subsequent steps in a multi-phased research study which aims to establish and analyse the safety and efficacy of an integrated care model for the management of patients receiving OAM in the community by an advanced practitioner.

Current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications: A scoping review protocol

Oncology has been undergoing a profound transition in the last ten years with the increased usage in oral anti-cancer medication. Approximately 25% of all anti-cancer medication is now designed for oral use and this is likely to increase prospectively. These treatments are convenient for patients and are often preferred by them, yet there are similar safety and toxicity concerns as there are to intravenous treatment. Oral anti-cancer medications (OAMs) have the potential to alleviate capacity issues in cancer treating units as patients receive their treatment at home, however there remains a requirement for safe and efficient assessment and care. Consequently, the management of patients on OAMs is of paramount importance. The optimum setting, whether within primary or secondary care, in addition to the appropriate health care professional to carry out patient assessment and monitoring needs to be established.

This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review which aims to systematically and comprehensively map the literature on the current management of adults receiving OAMs. The review will follow the published guidance to direct the various steps involved. The protocol will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework to ensure methodological and reporting quality. Independent full text review will be performed by two reviewers and any disagreements resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. The process will be iterative in nature.

This scoping review will provide a narrative synthesis and map the literature on the management of individuals receiving OAMs. This work is an appropriate initial stage in presenting the literature to inform the subsequent steps in a multi-phased research study which aims to establish and analyse the safety and efficacy of an integrated care model for the management of patients receiving OAM in the community by an advanced practitioner.

Current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications: A scoping review protocol

Oncology has been undergoing a profound transition in the last ten years with the increased usage in oral anti-cancer medication. Approximately 25% of all anti-cancer medication is now designed for oral use and this is likely to increase prospectively. These treatments are convenient for patients and are often preferred by them, yet there are similar safety and toxicity concerns as there are to intravenous treatment. Oral anti-cancer medications (OAMs) have the potential to alleviate capacity issues in cancer treating units as patients receive their treatment at home, however there remains a requirement for safe and efficient assessment and care. Consequently, the management of patients on OAMs is of paramount importance. The optimum setting, whether within primary or secondary care, in addition to the appropriate health care professional to carry out patient assessment and monitoring needs to be established. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review which aims to systematically and comprehensively map the literature on the current management of adults receiving OAMs. The review will follow the published guidance to direct the various steps involved. The protocol will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework to ensure methodological and reporting quality. Independent full text review will be performed by two reviewers and any disagreements resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. The process will be iterative in nature. This scoping review will provide a narrative synthesis and map the literature on the management of individuals receiving OAMs. This work is an appropriate initial stage in presenting the literature to inform the subsequent steps in a multi-phased research study which aims to establish and analyse the safety and efficacy of an integrated care model for the management of patients receiving OAM in the community by an advanced practitioner.

Heart failure with preserved, mid-range, and reduced ejection fraction across health care settings: an observational study

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the sex-specific distribution of heart failure (HF) with preserved, mid-range, and reduced ejection fraction across three health care settings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this descriptive observational study, we retrieved the distribution of HF types [with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)] for men and women between 65 and 79 years of age in three health care settings from a single country: (i) patients with screening-detected HF in the high-risk community (i.e. those with shortness of breath, frailty, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) from four screening studies, (ii) patients with confirmed HF from primary care derived from a single observational study, and (iii) patients with confirmed HF from outpatient cardiology clinics participating in a registry. Among 1407 patients from the high-risk community, 288 had screen-detected HF (15% HFrEF, 12% HFmrEF, 74% HFpEF), and 51% of the screen-detected HF patients were women. In both women (82%) and men (65%), HFpEF was the most prevalent HF type. In the routine general practice population (30 practices, 70 000 individuals), among the 160 confirmed HF cases, 35% had HFrEF, 23% HFmrEF, and 43% HFpEF, and in total, 43% were women. In women, HFpEF was the most prevalent HF type (52%), while in men, this was HFrEF (41%). In outpatient cardiology clinics (n = 34), of the 4742 HF patients (66% HFrEF, 15% HFmrEF, 20% HFpEF), 36% were women. In both women (56%) and men (71%), HFrEF was the most prevalent HF type.

CONCLUSIONS

Both HF types and sex distribution vary considerably in HF patients of 65-79 years of age among health care settings. From the high-risk community through to general practice to the cardiology outpatient setting, there is a shift in HF type from HFpEF to HFrEF and a decrease in the proportion of HF patients that are women.

An international e-Delphi study to identify core competencies for Italian cardiac nurses

AIMS

The management of cardiovascular patients requires increasingly competent nursing professionals. In Italy, there are no specific postgraduate courses focused on specialist cardiac skills development for nurses. To develop such courses, content incorporating appropriate competencies is required and this study was designed to meet this. To delineate a set of core competencies to develop national educational interventions to ensure cardiac nurses in Italy achieve international standards.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A three-round e-Delphi study including a panel of 32 expert cardiac nurses from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy was conducted; 26 respondents completed all three rounds. The first round sought a list of five competencies from each participant which they were asked to prioritize in Round 2. In Round 3, they were asked to prioritize again with the knowledge of the priorities identified in Round 2. The final list of competencies was those achieving 70% agreement among participants. We identified 14 core competencies spanning a range of areas of competence including technical, interpersonal, health promotion, use of evidence, and management. Only minor differences were evident between the Italian and the international panel regarding the priority given to some core competences, such a leadership and taking patient history.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in Italy to delineate cardiac nurses' core competencies. As such, it provides a foundation for the development of postgraduate educational programmes for cardiac nurses including competencies that are congruent with international standards.

Effects of an outpatient intervention comprising nurse-led non-invasive assessments, telemedicine support and remote cardiologists' decisions in patients with heart failure (AMULET study): a randomised controlled trial

Aim

Prevention of heart failure (HF) hospitalisations and deaths constitutes a major therapeutic aim in patients with HF. The role of telemedicine in this context remains equivocal. We investigated whether an outpatient telecare based on nurse‐led non‐invasive assessments supporting remote therapeutic decisions (AMULET telecare) could improve clinical outcomes in patients after an episode of acute HF during 12‐month follow‐up.

Methods and results

In this prospective randomised controlled trial, patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤49%, after an episode of acute HF within the last 6 months, were randomly assigned to receive either an outpatient telecare based on nurse‐led non‐invasive assessments (n = 300) (AMULET model) or standard care (n = 305). The primary composite outcome of unplanned HF hospitalisation or cardiovascular death occurred in 51 (17.1%) patients in the telecare group and 73 (23.9%) patients in the standard care group up to 12 months after randomization [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.99; P = 0.044]. The implementation of AMULET telecare, as compared to standard care, reduced the risk of first unplanned HF hospitalisation (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42–0.91; P = 0.015) as well as the risk of total unplanned HF hospitalisations (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41–0.99; P = 0.044).There was no difference in cardiovascular mortality between the study groups (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.54–1.67; P = 0.930).

Conclusions

AMULET telecare as compared to standard care significantly reduced the risk of HF hospitalisation or cardiovascular death during 12‐month follow‐up among patients with HF and LVEF ≤49% after an episode of acute HF.

Current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications: A scoping review

PURPOSE

Oral anti-cancer medication (OAM) has revolutionised oncology care. Due to their potential toxicities and associated safety challenges ongoing assessment and monitoring is essential; currently generally performed in acute care settings. Internationally there exists a transformative vision to shift patient care from acute to primary care. A nurse-led integrated model of care could be developed for OAM patient management in primary care. The aim of this study was to examine international literature regarding current clinical management practices for assessment and monitoring of patients receiving OAM.

METHODS

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched for English studies published between 2010 and 2020 using keywords: assessment, cancer, care, management, oral anticancer medications. Articles were screened and assessed for eligibility. From eligible studies, data were extracted to summarize, collate and make a narrative account of the findings.

RESULTS

2261 papers were reviewed, 14 met inclusion criteria. Three phases of management are reported: 1. Patient treatment plan development; 2. Patient education; 3. Patient monitoring. Within these phases seven specific stages of care were identified broadly representing the patient's journey: (1) treatment decision, (2) prescribing of OAM, (3) OAM dispensing and administration, (4) maximising patient safety (5) ongoing patient assessment (6) patient support (7) communication with other health-care professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a paucity of international literature, a dedicated OAM clinic was endorsed as a means to achieve improved care. Nurses and pharmacists were identified as being of particular importance especially in education and ongoing management of patients receiving OAMs.

Implementing standards of care for heart failure patients in general practice - the IMPACT-B study protocol

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is an important health problem. Most chronic HF management occurs in primary care. Although guidelines exist, there is an important implementation gap in current HF care in Belgium.

METHODS

We will conduct a non-randomised, non-controlled prospective observational trial to implement guideline-recommended disease management interventions in primary care in Leuven, a region of ±100.000 inhabitants. These interventions include education of general practitioners, reimbursement of the analysis of circulating natriuretic peptides and audits in the electronic health record (EHR), training and implementation of HF educators in primary care, and a protocol to structure transition to primary care after discharge. The main objective is to study and implement interventions in an iterative implementation process.

CONCLUSIONS

We will evaluate the implementation of several guideline-recommended disease management interventions to optimise the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in a real-world primary care setting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04334447 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Impact of primary care involvement and setting on multidisciplinary heart failure management: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Multidisciplinary disease management programmes (DMPs) are a cornerstone of modern guideline-recommended care for heart failure (HF). Few programmes are community initiated or involve primary care professionals, despite the importance of home-based care for HF. We compared the outcomes of different multidisciplinary HF DMPs in relation to their recruitment setting and involvement of primary care health professionals. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane between 2000 and 2020 using Cochrane Collaboration methodology. Our meta-analysis included 19 randomized controlled trials (7577 patients), classified according to recruitment setting and involvement of primary care professionals. Thirteen studies recruited in the hospital (n = 5243 patients) and six in the community (n = 2334 patients). Only six studies involved primary care professionals (n = 3427 patients), with two of these recruited in the community (n = 225 patients). Multidisciplinary HF DMPs that recruited in the community had no significant effect on all-cause and HF readmissions nor on mortality, irrespective of primary care involvement. Studies that recruited in the hospital demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality (relative risk 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.76, 0.98]), HF readmissions (0.70, 95% CI [0.54, 0.89]), and all-cause readmissions (0.72, 95% CI [0.60, 0.87]). However, the difference in effect size between recruitment setting and involvement of primary care was not significant in a meta-regression analysis. Multidisciplinary HF DMPs that recruit in the community have no significant effect on mortality or hospital readmissions, unlike DMPs that recruit in the hospital, although the difference in effect size was not significant in a meta-regression analysis. Only six multidisciplinary studies involved primary care professionals. Given demographic evolutions and the importance of integrated home-based care for patients with HF, future multidisciplinary HF DMPs should consider integrating primary care professionals and evaluating the effectiveness of this model.

A single educational intervention on heart failure self-care: Extended follow-up from a multisite randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Heart failure outcomes remain poor, and little is known about the causes and predictors of these outcomes in Lebanon.

AIM

The purpose of this article is to report the causes and predictors of the 6- and 12-month readmission and mortality of previously recruited patients to the Family focused Approach to iMprove Heart Failure care In LebanonQualitY intervention (FAMILY) study.

METHODS

A multi-site block randomized controlled trial in three tertiary medical centers in Beirut. Initially, participants were randomized to either the control or the intervention group. The latter group, with their family caregivers, received heart failure self-care resources and an educational intervention on self-care and symptom management during their index admission. Participants from the FAMILY study were followed up with through phone calls for readmission and mortality at 6 and 12 months following their hospital discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 218 (85%) patients were followed up with for this evaluation. There was a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in terms of mortality at 6 months (n=18 (16%) versus n=36 (33%); p<0.05) and 12 months (n=29 (26%) versus n=45 (42%); p<0.05) post the index discharge. Mortality at 6 and 12 months was associated with aging, lower body mass index scores and readmission at 30 days post the index admission. Results of a logistic regression for mortality at 6 months showed hypertensive etiology of heart failure and 30-day readmission to be the only significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

A single session intervention was associated with lower mortality, even after an extended period of time, possibly mediated by other variables. Future studies should be powered for such outcomes while also addressing the cultural needs and literacy levels of the patients using multi-session trials and more frequent follow-ups.

Cardiologists' perceptions on multidisciplinary collaboration in heart failure care - a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Cardiologists play a key role in multidisciplinary care by guiding heart failure (HF) management in the hospital and in the community. Regional implementation of multidisciplinary health care interventions depends on how they perceive collaboration with other health care disciplines, yet research on this topic is limited. This study aimed to explore the views and opinions of cardiologists on multidisciplinary collaboration in HF care.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 11 Belgian cardiologists between September 2019 and February 2020. We used the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (QUAGOL) method as guidance for data analysis until data saturation was reached.

RESULTS

Cardiologists consider the general practitioner (GP) and HF nurse as the most important partners in HF management. Cardiologists identified four problems in current multidisciplinary collaboration: the communication of a HF diagnosis to the patient, advanced care planning, titration of HF medication by the GP and electronic data exchange and communication. Three themes emerged as ideas for improvement of HF care: 1) expansion of the role of the HF nurse, 2) implementation of a structured, patient-centered, and flexible model of disease management program and 3) integrated data approaches.

CONCLUSION

Cardiologists value close cooperation with GPs in HF management. They advocate an expanded future role for the HF nurse, increased eHealth, and structured disease management to optimize current HF care.

Integration of nursing services provided to patients with heart failure living at home: A longitudinal ethnographic study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to (1) describe the development of integrated services between hospital-based heart failure nursing services and municipally located home care nurses' services and (2) identify the benefits of this collaboration for the development of home care nursing services.

BACKGROUND

Governments have called for better integration of healthcare services to respond to demographic ageing. Clinical pathways have been used to enhance integration and assure continuity between primary and secondary care. Competencies in addressing advanced health issues among home care nurses must be improved.

DESIGN

A longitudinal ethnographic study of the development of home care nursing services for persons living with heart failure.

METHODS

Data were field notes from observations at meetings of the steering group designing the services, visits to patients' homes and from educational sessions. Interviews were conducted with the home care nurses, heart failure nurses and focus group meetings with nurses working in home care nursing. Reporting adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies checklist.

RESULTS

In a collaborative project, nurses from the two settings developed nursing services to address signs indicating exacerbation of heart failure and risk of hospital visits, involving advanced heart failure monitoring and treatment in patients' homes. A clinical pathway was developed to assure effective assessment of patients' condition. The home care nurses gained new knowledge and developed work practices that called for different competencies. Access to consultation from specialised heart failure nurses was instrumental in this transition.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of nursing services by integrating primary and secondary services facilitates translation of knowledge, competencies and understandings between nurses at different settings. Such integration can foster expertise in nursing services.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The transfer of specialised healthcare services to primary care facilitates collaboration and sharing of knowledge, understanding and work practices.

Current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications: A scoping review protocol

Oncology has been undergoing a profound transition in the last ten years or more with the increase in oral anti-cancer medications. Approximately 25% of all anti-cancer medication is now designed for oral use and this is likely to increase prospectively. These treatments are convenient for patients and are often preferred by them, yet there are similar safely and toxicity concerns as there are to intravenous treatment. Oral anti-cancer medications (OAMs) have the potential to alleviate capacity issues in cancer treating units as patients receive their treatment at home, however there remains a requirement for safe and efficient assessment and care. Consequently, the management of patients on oral anti-cancer is of paramount importance but as to the location of such patient assessment and monitoring and by which health care professional is subject to ongoing debate.  This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review which aims to systematically and comprehensively map the available literature on the current management of adults receiving oral anti-cancer medications. The scoping review will follow the published guidance to direct the various steps involved. The report will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework to ensure methodological and reporting quality.  The review will be performed by two reviewers and checked by a third reviewer and will be iterative in the process. This scoping review will provide a narrative synthesis and map the extent of available literature on the management of individuals receiving oral anti-cancer medication. This work is an appropriate initial stage in presenting the literature to inform the subsequent steps in a multi-phased research study which aims to establish and analyse the safety and efficacy of an integrated care model for the management of patients receiving OAM in the community by an advanced nurse.

Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with heart failure: A thematic analysis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a life-influencing condition that causes varying care needs over time with risks of fragmentation. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients with heart failure. However, nurses' experiences of continuity of care seem to be less explored in this context.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with a descriptive design.

METHODS

Four focus groups were chosen to collect the data, and the analysis was made by using a method for thematic analysis. A purposeful sampling of nurses (n = 14) with experiences from hospital-connected heart failure clinics, primary healthcare centres and municipal home healthcare settings was recruited. The COREQ checklist was used in this study.

RESULTS

The nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with heart failure were described in four themes: access and flexibility, responsibility and transparency, trustful and caring relationships and communication and collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that nurses have an excellent position to act as the "hub" in caring for patients with heart failure, but they need to have the possibility of networking and establishing trusting relationships with their colleagues. From the nurses' point of view, mutual trust between the nurse, the patient and the patient's next of kin is crucial for promoting and maintaining continuity of care in patients with heart failure.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

To promote continuity of care for patients with heart failure, nurses expressed the necessity of establishing trusting relationships in a continuity-promoting organisation with seamless coordination. Nurses can be the "hub" supporting a person-centred care approach based on the patients' needs. There seems to be a need for better collaboration with common guidelines across and within primary healthcare centres, hospital-connected heart failure clinics and municipal home healthcare settings.

An evidence-based structured one-year programme to sustain physical activity in patients with heart failure in primary care: A non-randomized longitudinal feasibility study

Aim

The primary objective of this non-randomized feasibility study was to test a 1-year model programme for sustaining/increasing patients' motivation to perform daily physical activity.

Design

Non-randomized longitudinal feasibility study with a one-group repeated measures design.

Methods

The study took place at a primary care centre in mid-Sweden in 2017-2018. The model programme included individual and group-based support, individualized physical activity prescriptions, a wrist-worn activity tracker and an activity diary. The main outcomes were the participants' perceptions of programme feasibility and scores on the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale.

Results

Seven patients were recruited. Six patients completed the programme that was perceived to imply learning, motivation and support. Compared with baseline, the median score of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale improved 3 months after participants completed the programme.

Nurse-Led Heart Failure Clinics Are Associated With Reduced Mortality but Not Heart Failure Hospitalization

Background Follow-up in a nurse-led heart failure ( HF ) clinic is recommended in HF guidelines, but its association with outcomes remains controversial, with previous studies including few and highly selected patients. Thus, large analyses of "real-world" samples are needed. Aims were to assess: (1) independent predictors of and (2) prognosis associated with planned referral to nurse-led HF clinics. Methods and Results We analyzed data from the SwedeHF (Swedish HF Registry) using multivariable logistic regressions to identify independent predictors of planned referral to a nurse-led HF clinic and multivariable Cox regressions to test associations between planned referral and outcomes (all-cause death, HF hospitalization, and their composite). Of 40 992 patients, 39% were planned to be referred to a follow-up in a nurse-led HF clinic. Independent characteristics associated with planned referral were shorter duration of HF , clinical markers of more-severe HF, such as lower ejection fraction, higher New York Heart Association class and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and lower blood pressure, as well as cohabitating versus living alone, male sex, fewer comorbidities, and more use of HF treatments. After adjustments, planned referral to a nurse-led HF clinic was associated with reduced mortality and mortality/ HF hospitalization, but not HF hospitalization alone. Conclusions In this nation-wide registry, 39% of our identified HF cohort was planned to be referred to a nurse-led HF clinic. Planned referral reflected more-severe HF , but also sex- and family-related factors, and it was independently associated with lower risk of death, but not of HF hospitalization.

Health-related quality of life in adult CHD surgical patients in a low middle-income country: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This mixed-methods study aimed to assess health-related quality of life in young adults with CHD following surgery in a low middle-income country, Pakistan. Despite the knowledge that geographic, cultural and socio-economic factors may shape the way health and illness is experienced and managed and consequently determine a person's health-related quality of life, few health-related quality of life studies are conducted in low middle-income countries. This deficit is pronounced in CHD, so there is little guidance for patient care.

METHODS

The study utilised concurrent, mixed methods. Adults with CHD (n = 59) completed health-related quality of life surveys (PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scale, PedsQLTM Cognitive Functioning Scale and PedsQLTM 3.0 Cardiac Module). Semi-structured interview data were collected from a nested sub-sample of 17 participants and analysed using qualitative content analysis, guided by the revised Wilson-Cleary model of health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

The lowest health-related quality of life domain was emotional with the mean score (71.61 ± 20.6), followed by physical (78.81 ± 21.18) and heart problem (79.41 ± 18.05). There was no statistical difference in general or cardiac-specific health-related quality of life between mild, moderate or complex CHD. Qualitative findings suggested low health-related quality of life arose from a reduced capacity to contribute to family life including family income and gender. A sense of reduced marriageability and fear of dependency were important socio-cultural considerations.

CONCLUSIONS

CHD surgical patients in this low-income country experience poor health-related quality of life, and contributing factors differ to those reported for high-income countries. Socio-cultural understandings should underpin assessment, management and care-partnering with young adults with CHD following surgical correction.

Hemodynamic Instability in Heart Failure Intensifies Age-Dependent Cognitive Decline

This review attempts to examine two key elements in the evolution of cognitive impairment in the elderly who develop heart failure. First, major left side heart parts can structurally and functionally deteriorate from aging wear and tear to provoke hemodynamic instability where heart failure worsens or is initiated; second, heart failure is a major inducer of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in the elderly. In heart failure, when the left ventricular myocardium of an elderly person does not properly contract, it cannot pump out adequate blood to the brain, raising the risk of cognitive impairment due to the intensification of chronic brain hypoperfusion. Chronic brain hypoperfusion originates from chronically reduced cardiac output which progresses as heart failure worsens. Other left ventricular heart parts, including atrium, valves, myocardium, and aorta can contribute to the physiological shortfall of cardiac output. It follows that hemodynamic instability and perfusion changes occurring from the aging heart's blood pumping deficiency will, in time, damage vulnerable brain cells linked to specific cognitive regulatory sites, diminishing neuronal energy metabolism to a level where progressive cognitive impairment is the outcome. Could cognitive impairment progress be reversed with a heart transplant? Evidence is presented detailing the errant hemodynamic pathways leading to cognitive impairment during aging as an offshoot of inefficient structural and functional heart parts and their contribution to heart failure.

Trajectory of self-care behaviour in patients with heart failure: the impact on clinical outcomes and influencing factors

BACKGROUND

Patients' self-care behaviour is still suboptimal in many heart failure (HF) patients and underlying mechanisms on how to improve self-care need to be studied.

AIMS

(1) To describe the trajectory of patients' self-care behaviour over 1 year, (2) to clarify the relationship between the trajectory of self-care and clinical outcomes, and (3) to identify factors related to changes in self-care behaviour.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of the COACH-2 study, 167 HF patients (mean age 73 years) were included. Self-care behaviour was assessed at baseline and after 12 months using the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour scale. The threshold score of ⩾70 was used to define good self-care behaviour.

RESULTS

Of all patients, 21% had persistent poor self-care behaviour, and 27% decreased from good to poor. Self-care improved from poor to good in 10%; 41% had a good self-care during both measurements. Patients who improved self-care had significantly higher perceived control than those with persistently good self-care at baseline. Patients who decreased their self-care had more all-cause hospitalisations (35%) and cardiovascular hospitalisations (26%) than patients with persistently good self-care (2.9%, p < 0.05). The prevalence of depression increased at 12 months in both patients having persistent poor self-care (0% to 21%) and decreasing self-care (4.4% to 22%, both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Perceived control is a positive factor to improve self-care, and a decrease in self-care is related to worse outcomes. Interventions to reduce psychological distress combined with self-care support could have a beneficial impact on patients decreasing or persistently poor self-care behaviour.