In-hospital cardiology consultation and evidence-based care for nursing home residents with heart failure

Renin-Angiotensin Inhibition and Outcomes in Nursing Home Residents With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs-ARBs) improve outcomes in heart failure (HF). Less is known about this association in nursing home (NH) residents.

METHODS

Of the 8024 hospitalized HF patients, 542 were NH residents, of whom 250 received ACEIs-ARBs. We assembled a propensity score-matched cohort of 157 pairs of NH residents receiving and not receiving ACEIs-ARBs balanced on 29 baseline characteristics (mean age, 83 years, 74% women, 17% African American), in which we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes associated with ACEI-ARB use. We then checked for interaction in a matched cohort of 5130 patients (378 were NH residents) assembled from the 8024 patients.

RESULTS

Among 314 matched NH residents, HRs (95% CIs) for 30-day all-cause readmission, HF readmission, and all-cause mortality were 0.78 (0.47-1.28), 0.68 (0.29-1.60), and 1.26 (0.70-2.27), respectively. Respective HRs (95% CIs) at 1 year were 0.76 (0.56-1.02), 0.68 (0.42-1.09), and 1.04 (0.78-1.38). Among 5130 matched patients, ACEI-ARB use was associated with a significantly lower risk of all outcomes at both times, with no significant interactions, except for 1-year mortality, which was only significant in the non-NH subgroup (P for interaction, 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that the use of ACEIs or ARBs is associated with improved outcomes in patients with HF in the NH setting. However, we also found no evidence that this association is different in NH residents with HF versus non-NH patients with HF. Future larger studies are needed to demonstrate effectiveness of these drugs in the NH setting.

Trends of Clinical Outcomes and Health Care Resource Use in Heart Failure in the United States

Background Heart failure (HF) imparts a significant clinical and economic burden on the health system in the United States. Methods and Results We used the National Inpatient Sample database between September 2002 and December 2016. We examined trends of comorbidities, inpatient mortality, and healthcare resource use in patients admitted with acute HF. Outcomes were adjusted for demographic variables, comorbidities, and inflation. A total of 11 806 679 cases of acute HF hospitalization were identified. The burden of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, cancer, depression, and chronic kidney disease among patients admitted with acute HF increased over time. The adjusted mortality decreased from 6.8% in 2002 to 4.9% in 2016 (P-trend<0.001; average annual decline, 1.99%), which was consistent across age, sex, and race. The adjusted mean length of stay decreased from 8.6 to 6.5 days (P<0.001), but discharge disposition to a long-term care facility increased from 20.8% to 25.6% (P<0.001). The adjusted mean cost of stay increased from $51 548 to $72 075 (P<0.001; average annual increase, 2.78%), which was partially explained by the higher proportion of procedures (echocardiogram, right heart catheterization, use of ventricular assist devices, coronary artery bypass grafting) and the higher incidence of HF complications (cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, ventilator, and renal failure requiring dialysis). Conclusions This national data set showed that despite increasing medical complexities, there was significant reduction in inpatient mortality and length of stay. However, these measures were counterbalanced by a higher proportion of discharge disposition to long-term care facilities and expensive cost of care.

Examining Characteristics of Hospitalizations in Heart Failure Patients: Results from the 2009 All-payer Data

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common chronic and disabling illnesses, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Readmission rate, one key indicator of healthcare quality and healthcare utilization, is prevalent in HF patients. Inconsistent evidences exist about the impact of rural health disparities on HF patients' readmissions. The purpose of this explorative study was to examine the characteristics of hospitalized HF patients and factors related to readmissions in 2009. The results showed all-cause readmission rates were 13.6%, 23.6%, and 31.6% at 30-, 90- and 180-days respectively. The factors related readmissions included age, income, discharge/transfer status from index hospitalization, and comorbidity. Findings from this analysis suggested additional studies using multiple data sources are needed to have a comprehensive understanding of risk factors related HF patients' healthcare utilization.

Heart Failure Among Older Adults in Skilled Nursing Facilities: More of a Dilemma Than Many Now Realize

Post-acute care, encompassing long-term care hospitals, home health, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities, is increasingly employed as an integral part of management for more complicated patients, particularly as hospitals seek to maintain costs and decrease length of stay. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in particular are progressively utilized for patients with complex medical processes, including today's growing population of older hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients who pose a prominent challenge due to their high risks of mortality, 30-day readmissions, and substantial aggregate cost burden to the healthcare system. Publications to date have largely grouped post-hospitalized HF patients together when reporting demographic or outcome data, without differentiating those at SNFs from those at traditional nursing homes or other post-acute care settings. SNF patients suffer distinctive vulnerabilities and needs, and understanding these distinctions has implications for determining goals of care. In this review we evaluate HF patients referred to SNFs, and discuss the characteristics, outcomes, and management challenges associated with this particular population.

High prevalence of undetected heart failure in long-term care residents: findings from the Heart Failure in Care Homes (HFinCH) study

AIMS

Diagnosis of heart failure in older people in long-term care is challenging because of co-morbidities, cognitive deficit, polypharmacy, immobility, and poor access to services. This study aimed to ascertain heart failure prevalence and clinical management in this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 405 residents, aged 65-100 years, in 33 UK care facilities were prospectively enrolled between April 2009 and June 2010. The presence of heart failure was determined using European Society of Cardiology guidelines, modified where necessary for immobility. Evaluation of symptoms and signs, functional capacity, and quality of life, portable on-site echocardiography, and medical record review were completed in 399 cases. The point prevalence of heart failure was 22.8% [n = 91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 18.8-27.2%]; of these, 62.7% (n = 57, 95% CI 59.6-66.5%) had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and 37.3% had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (n = 34, 95% CI 34.8-40.5%). A total of 76% (n = 61) of previous diagnoses of heart failure were not confirmed, and up to 90% (n = 82) of study cases were new. No symptoms or signs were reliable predictors of heart failure.

CONCLUSION

Heart failure was diagnosed in almost a quarter of residents: the prevalence was substantially higher than in other populations. The majority of heart failure cases were undiagnosed, while three-quarters of previously recorded cases were misdiagnosed. Common symptoms and signs appear to have little clinical utility in this population. Early, accurate differential diagnosis is key to the effective management of heart failure; this may be failing in long-term care facilities.