Patient and Professional Factors That Impact the Perceived Likelihood and Confidence of Healthcare Professionals to Discuss Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Deactivation in Advanced Heart Failure: Results From an International Factorial Survey

Integrating palliative care and heart failure: a systematic realist synthesis (PalliatHeartSynthesis)

OBJECTIVES

(1) Develop a programme theory of why, for whom and in what contexts integrated palliative care (PC) and heart failure (HF) services work/do not work; (2) use the programme theory to co-produce with stakeholders, intervention strategies to inform best practice and future research.

METHODS

A systematic review of all published articles and grey literature using a realist logic of analysis. The search strategy combined terms significant to the review questions: HF, PC and end of life. Documents were included if they were in English and provided data relevant to integration of PC and HF services. Searches were conducted in November 2021 in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, AMED, HMIC and CINAHL. Further relevant documents were identified via monthly alerts (up until April 2023) and the project stakeholder group (patient/carers, content experts and multidisciplinary practitioners).

RESULTS

130 documents were included (86 research, 22 literature reviews, 22 grey literature). The programme theory identified intervention strategies most likely to support integration of PC and HF services. These included protected time for evidence-based PC and HF education from undergraduate/postgraduate level and continuing professional practice; choice of educational setting (eg, online, face-to-face or hybrid); increased awareness and seeing benefits of PC for HF management; conveying the emotive and intellectual need for integrating PC and HF via credible champions; and prioritising PC and HF guidelines in practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The review findings outline the required steps to take to increase the likelihood that all key players have the capacity, opportunity and motivation to integrate PC into HF management.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021240185.

Communication regarding the deactivation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A scoping review and narrative summary of current interventions

OBJECTIVES

Communication about deactivation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy at end-of-life (EoL) is a recognised issue within clinical practice. The aim of this scoping review was to explore and map the current literature in this field, with a focus on papers which implemented interventional studies.

METHODS

Systematic searches of six major databases were conducted. Citations were included by four researchers according to selection criteria. Key demographic data and prespecified themes in relation to communication of ICD deactivation at EoL were extracted.

RESULTS

The search found 6197 texts of which 63 were included: 39 quantitative, 14 qualitative and 10 mixed-methods. Surveys were predominantly used to gather data (n = 34), followed by interviews (n = 18) and retrospective reviews of patient records (n = 18).

CONCLUSIONS

Several key gaps in the literature warrant further research. These include who is responsible for initiating ICD deactivation discussions, how clinicians should initiate and conduct these discussions, when ICD deactivations should be occurring, and family perspectives. Adequately explored themes include patient and clinician knowledge and attitudes regarding ICD deactivation at EoL.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Facilities treating patients with ICDs at EoL should consider ongoing quality improvement projects aimed at clinician education and protocol changes to improve communication surrounding EoL ICD deactivation.

Personalizing Heart Failure Care to the Patient With Cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current review describes the role of the cardio-oncology nurse and the need for personalized heart failure care for the patient with cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

It is a new role whereby cardiology or heart failure nurses care for patients with cancer who develop cardiotoxicity or cardiovascular diseases, either during the cancer therapy or in a later stage. Inter-disciplinary approach is important for individualized early treatment, shortened interruptions to cancer therapy, and irreversible cardiovascular injury prevention. Nurses have a key role in early evaluation and quality control of the care provided. This is a quite new clinical area and not much evidence exists for the development of clinical guidelines and pathways to support clinicians. More trials are needed for the development of clinical recommendations.

Characteristics of Clinicians Are Associated With Their Beliefs About ICD Deactivation: Insight From the DECIDE-HF Study

Background

Discussing goals of care with heart failure patients is recommended but is not done systematically, due to factors such as time and personal beliefs. A recent survey showed that one-fifth of clinicians believe that implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation (ICDD) is unethical or constitutes physician-assisted suicide. We investigated whether individuals’ characteristics are associated with these beliefs.

Methods

The Decision-Making About Goals of Care for Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure (DECIDE-HF) survey was given to healthcare providers at 9 hospitals to assess their perceived barriers to goals-of-care discussions. The association between respondent characteristics and their beliefs was examined using 2 adjusted logistic regression models.

Results

We included 760 clinicians (459 nurses, 94 fellows, and 207 cardiologists). The responses varied among professions, with the belief that ICDD is unethical considered to be important barrier by nurses (24%), fellows (10%), and staff (7%); P < 0.001). After adjusting for site, spirituality being more important in life (odds ratio [OR]: 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.37-3.56; P = 0.001, compared to less important), region of training (Asia [OR: 5.88; 95% CI: 2.12-16.31; P = 0.001] and Middle East [OR: 5.55; 95% CI:1.57-19.63; P = 0.008] compared to Canada), and years in practice (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.07-1.63; P = 0.01 per decade) influenced beliefs about ICDD being unethical, with similar results for the belief that ICDD represents physician-assisted suicide.

Conclusions

Sociocultural factors, region of training, and profession influence clinicians’ beliefs about ICDD being unethical and representing physician-assisted suicide. These factors and beliefs must be acknowledged when facing the delicate issue of end-of-life discussion.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator devices: when, how and who should discuss deactivation with patients: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are used to treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. As recipients age they may develop greater risk of dying as a result of progressive multimorbidity rather than sudden cardiac death. Defibrillation shocks may prolong an uncomfortable dying process. Deactivation of the defibrillator would prevent this, yet is not always discussed and planned.

AIM

To systematically review published evidence on ICD deactivation discussions and make recommendations on when, how and who should facilitate effective and patient-centred deactivation discussions.

METHODS

Using standard systematic review methods, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycInfo were searched for studies published in the English language between 2010 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria were studies of adults (≥18 years) and including discussions on ICD deactivation and/or related communication. Included studies were independently reviewed, data extracted, quality assessed and data synthesised using a deductive approach.

RESULTS

Of the 8893 articles identified, 22 papers met the inclusion criteria. Deductive approach led to identification of five main themes: (1) timing of ICD deactivation discussions, (2) initiation of deactivation discussions, (3) advance directives, (4) barriers to discussions and (5) facilitators of discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite available guidelines, conversations on device deactivation are not being undertaken consistently. Evidence suggests lack of professional awareness of guidelines and limited training in communication skills. To prevent distress and promote comfortable dying, there needs to be a proactive clinical and policy initiative in the education of both professionals and patients and their relatives about device deactivation.

Advance care planning and end-of-life care in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: The perspective of relatives

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the last phase of life of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and the practice of advance care planning in this population.

AIM

To describe the last phase of life and advance care planning process of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and to assess relatives' satisfaction with treatment and care.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods study, including a survey and focus group study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

A survey among 170 relatives (response rate 59%) reporting about 154 deceased patients, and 5 subsequent focus groups with 23 relatives.

RESULTS

Relatives reported that 38% of patients had a conversation with a healthcare professional about implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation. Patients' and relatives' lack of knowledge about device functioning and the perceived lack of time of healthcare professionals were frequently mentioned barriers to advance care planning. Twenty-four percent of patients experienced a shock in the last month of life, which were, according to relatives, distressing for 74% of patients and 73% of relatives. Forty-two to sixty-one percent of relatives reported to be satisfied with different aspects of end-of-life care, such as the way in which wishes of the patient were respected. Quality of death was scored higher for patients with a deactivated device than those with an active device (6.74 vs 5.67 on a 10-point scale, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation was discussed with a minority of patients. Device shocks were reported to be distressing to patients and relatives. Relatives of patients with a deactivated device reported a higher quality of death compared to relatives of patients with an active device.

Judgements of health and social care professionals on a child protection referral of an unborn baby: Factorial survey

BACKGROUND

Midwives and children's services social workers have responsibilities to identify and support pregnant women where there are child protection concerns. Professionals seek to anticipate the risk of harm and initiate interventions to provide support to families. There is little research on how professionals prioritise risk factors and the challenges they face in protecting unborn babies.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the impact of identified risk factors regarding child protection referrals of unborn babies on the professional judgements of midwives and children's services social workers.

METHODS

A factorial survey design using vignettes with randomised factors within a standardised structure, administered digitally using Qualtrics software.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTING

Midwives (n = 250) and children's services social workers (n = 88) from one Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland.

RESULTS

One thousand and ninety-six vignettes were completed by 118 participants. Analysis using multiple regression showed that the risk factors together accounted for 44% of the variance in perceived risk of harm and of the variance on perceived need for a referral. The significant Independent Variables (IVs) in order included: drug use, alcohol use, age, antenatal care attendance, mental wellbeing, domestic violence and the pregnant woman's I the childhood experiences. There were no significant differences between midwives and social workers regarding judgements about important risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey provided an ordering of major risk factors influencing decision making to protect an unborn baby from the perspective of experienced social workers and midwives. The study helps professionals in judging the seriousness of risk factors. The interaction effects between risks requires further research.

Integration of a palliative approach into heart failure care: a European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association position paper

The Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology has published a previous position paper and various guidelines over the past decade recognizing the value of palliative care for those affected by this burdensome condition. Integrating palliative care into evidence-based heart failure management remains challenging for many professionals, as it includes the identification of palliative care needs, symptom control, adjustment of drug and device therapy, advance care planning, family and informal caregiver support, and trying to ensure a 'good death'. This new position paper aims to provide day-to-day practical clinical guidance on these topics, supporting the coordinated provision of palliation strategies as goals of care fluctuate along the heart failure disease trajectory. The specific components of palliative care for symptom alleviation, spiritual and psychosocial support, and the appropriate modification of guideline-directed treatment protocols, including drug deprescription and device deactivation, are described for the chronic, crisis and terminal phases of heart failure.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators at the end of life: future perspectives on clinical practice

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective in terminating life-threatening arrhythmias. However, in the last phase of life, ICD shocks may no longer be appropriate. Guidelines recommend timely discussion with the patient regarding deactivation of the shock function of the ICD. However, research shows that such conversations are scarce, and some patients experience avoidable and distressful shocks in the final days of life. Barriers such as physicians’ lack of time, difficulties in finding the right time to discuss ICD deactivation, patients’ reluctance to discuss the topic, and the fragmentation of care, which obscures responsibilities, prevent healthcare professionals from discussing this topic with the patient. In this point-of-view article, we argue that healthcare professionals who are involved in the care for ICD patients should be better educated on how to communicate with patients about ICD deactivation and the end of life. Optimal communication is needed to reduce the number of patients experiencing inappropriate and painful shocks in the terminal stage of their lives.

Determinants of intentions to monitor antihypertensive medication adherence in Irish community pharmacy: a factorial survey

Background

Community pharmacy represents an important setting to identify patients who may benefit from an adherence intervention, however it remains unclear whether it would be feasible to monitor antihypertensive adherence within the workflow of community pharmacy. The aim of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to monitoring antihypertensive medication adherence of older adults at the point of repeat dispensing.

Methods

We undertook a factorial survey of Irish community pharmacists, guided by a conceptual model adapted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Respondents completed four sections, 1) five factorial vignettes (clinical scenario of repeat dispensing), 2) a medication monitoring attitude measure, 3) subjective norms and self-efficacy questions, and 4) demographic and workplace questions. Barriers and facilitators to adherence monitoring behaviour were identified in factorial vignette analysis using multivariate multilevel linear modelling, testing the effect of both contextual factors embedded within the vignettes (section 1), and respondent-level factors (sections 2–4) on likelihood to perform three adherence monitoring behaviours in response to the vignettes.

Results

Survey invites (n = 1543) were sent via email and 258 completed online survey responses were received; two-thirds of respondents were women, and one-third were qualified pharmacists for at least 15 years. In factorial vignette analysis, pharmacists were more inclined to monitor antihypertensive medication adherence by examining refill-patterns from pharmacy records than asking patients questions about their adherence or medication beliefs. Pharmacists with more positive attitudes towards medication monitoring and normative beliefs that other pharmacists monitored adherence, were more likely to monitor adherence. Contextual factors also influenced pharmacists’ likelihood to perform the three adherence monitoring behaviours, including time-pressures and the number of days late the patient collected their repeat prescription. Pharmacists’ normative beliefs and the number of days late the patient collected their repeat prescription had the largest quantitative influence on responses.

Conclusions

This survey identified that positive pharmacist attitudes and normative beliefs can facilitate adherence monitoring within the current workflow; however contextual time-barriers may prevent adherence monitoring. Future research should consider these findings when designing a pharmacist-led adherence intervention to be integrated within current pharmacy workflow.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-019-1016-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Trends in time in the management of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator in the last phase of life: a retrospective study of medical records

BACKGROUND

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) might give unwanted shocks in the last month of life. Guidelines recommend deactivation of the ICD prior to death.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to examine trends in time (2007-2016) in how and when decisions are made about ICD deactivation, and to examine patient- and disease-related factors which may have influenced these decisions. In addition, care and ICD shock frequency in the last month of life of ICD patients are described.

METHODS

Medical records of a sample of deceased patients who had their ICD implanted in 1999-2015 in a Dutch university (n = 308) or general (n = 72) hospital were examined.

RESULTS

Median age at death was 71 years, and 88% were male. ICD deactivation discussions increased from 6% for patients who had died between 2007 and 2009 to 35% for patients who had died between 2013 and 2016. ICD deactivation rates increased in these periods from 16% to 42%. Presence of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders increased from 9% to 46%. Palliative care consultations increased from 0% to 9%. When the ICD remained active, shocks were reported for 7% of patients in the last month of life. Predictors of ICD deactivation were the occurrence of ICD deactivation discussions after implantation (OR 69.30, CI 26.45-181.59), DNR order (OR 6.83, CI 4.19-11.12), do-not-intubate order (OR 6.41, CI 3.75-10.96), and palliative care consultations (OR 8.67, CI 2.76-27.21).

CONCLUSION

ICD deactivation discussions and deactivation rates have increased since 2007. Nevertheless, ICDs remain active in the majority of patients at the end of life, some of whom experience shocks.