Quality of life and symptoms of depression in advanced heart failure patients and their partners

Exercise as a modality to improve heart transplantation-related functional impairments: An article review

Heart transplantation (HT), the treatment choice of advanced heart failure patients, is proven effective in increasing the survival and functional status of the recipients. However, compared to normal controls, functional status is lower in HT recipients. Exercise given in cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve exercise capacity as measured with peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and muscle strength after completion of the program and cessation of exercise results in loss of exercise benefits. Several factors related to cardiac denervation and the use of immunosuppressive agents in HT recipients result in functional impairments including cardiovascular, pulmonary, exercise capacity, psychological, and quality of life (QoL) problems. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the most common type of exercise used in HT recipients and given as a hospital-based program. Improvement of functional impairments was found to have occurred due to primarily musculoskeletal adaptations through improvement of muscle structure and aerobic capacity and cardiovascular adaptations. In general, exercise given after transplantation improved VO2 peak significantly and improvement was better in the HIIT group compared to moderate intensity continuous training or no-exercise groups. Improvement of QoL was ascribed to improvement of exercise capacity, symptoms, pulmonary function, physical capacity improvement, anxiety, and depression.

Network Analysis of Dyadic Burdens, Psychological Disorders, Psychological Resilience, and Illness- or Caregiving-Related Beliefs in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Their Caregivers

BACKGROUND

Previous research has examined the dyadic health components consisting of dyadic burdens, psychological disorders, psychological resilience, and illness- or caregiving-related beliefs independently from each other in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and their caregivers, but there is a need for further insights into their interconnections.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the interconnections among dyadic health components in patients with CHF and their caregivers.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study, recruiting in a total of 355 patients with CHF and their 355 respective caregivers, totaling 710 individuals across the dyads. Assessments were conducted on symptom burden, caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, psychological resilience, perceived control, and caregiver self-efficacy. Network analysis was used regarding these constructs as nodes and their associations as edges.

RESULTS

The strongest edge weight was observed between patients' anxiety and depression, followed by caregivers' anxiety and depression. Patients' depression exhibited the strongest edge weight with dyadic burdens. Caregiver burden was independently correlated with all nodes. Patients' symptom burden had fewer associations with the nodes within the caregiver community. Patients' anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience demonstrated the strongest and most influential correlations with other nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings illustrated extensive interconnections among dyadic health components in CHF dyads. These findings underscored the significance of managing and intervening with patients and caregivers as a dyadic whole. Given the strong and frequent associations of patients' anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience with other nodes in the network, interventions targeting these nodes may enhance the overall network health of CHF dyads.

Effect on the Quality of Life of Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced/Preserved Ejection Fraction Using Sacubitril/Valsartan

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) management has markedly improved, but a clinically meaningful improvement in functional capacity and quality of life is perhaps more important for patients than living longer.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to review the improvement in quality of life with sacubitril/valsartan in patients with HF and reduced/preserved ejection fraction (EF) from prospective clinical trials.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies published from inception to July 2021. A total of 6 clinical trials and 16854 patients with HF were included. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in KCCQ clinical summary score. The secondary outcomes were scores in other domains of KCCQ, the occurrence of serious adverse events (AEs), and overall mortality. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Treatment of sacubitril/valsartan showed significantly higher KCCQ-CSS compared to the control (WMD=0.975, 95% CI: 0.885, 1.064, p<0.001; I2=94.8%, pheterogeneity<0.001). A significant decrease in the mortality rate was observed in the sacubitril/valsartan group compared to the control group (RR=0.895, 95%CI:0.831, 0.965, p=0.004; I2=43.6%, pheterogeneity=0.150). Nevertheless, no significant reduction in the occurrence of serious AEs was found among HF patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan compared to the control group (RR=0.950, 95%CI: 0.879, 1.027, p<0.001; I2=68.1%, pheterogeneity=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan might significantly improve the HRQL compared to other treatments according to the results in KCCQ-CSS and some subdomains in the KCCQ index during the follow-up in patients with HF.

Dapagliflozin and Physical and Social Activity Limitations in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is associated with impaired physical function and poor quality of life and affects health status more profoundly than many other chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The authors examined the effects of dapagliflozin on specific physical and social limitations as reported by patients in the DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure) trial.

METHODS

The effect of dapagliflozin on the change from baseline to 8 months in each of the individual physical and social activity limitation questions answered by patients completing the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), and overall scores, were examined with mixed-effects models and responder analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 4,269 (90.0%) and 3,955 (83.4%) patients had complete data for both the physical and social activity limitation scores at baseline and 8 months, respectively. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin significantly increased (improved) the mean KCCQ physical and social activity limitation scores at 8 months (placebo-corrected mean difference 1.94 [95% CI: 0.73-3.16] and 1.84 [95% CI: 0.43-3.25], respectively). Dapagliflozin also increased each of the individual components that comprise the physical and social activity limitations domains at 8 months, with the largest improvement seen in "hobbies or recreational activities" (placebo-corrected mean difference: 2.76 [95% CI: 1.06-4.46]) and "doing yardwork, housework, or carrying groceries" (placebo-corrected mean difference: 2.59 [95% CI: 0.76-4.42]). The proportion of patients with a 5-point improvement from baseline to 8 months in the KCCQ physical and social activity limitation scores was greater with dapagliflozin than with placebo (ORs: 1.23 [95% CI: 1.09-1.40] and 1.19 [95% CI: 1.05-1.35], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HFrEF, dapagliflozin, compared with placebo, improved physical and social activity limitations as measured by KCCQ. (Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on the Incidence of Worsening Heart Failure or Cardiovascular Death in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure [DAPA-HF]; NCT03036124).

Spot Urinary Creatinine Concentration in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Identifies a Distinct Muscle-Wasting Phenotype with a Strikingly Different Risk of Mortality

BACKGROUND

There is a raising awareness that heart failure (HF) is a highly heterogeneous, multiorgan syndrome with an increasing global prevalence and still poor prognosis. The comorbidities of HF are one of the key reasons for presence of various phenotypes with different clinical profile and outcome. Heterogeneity of skeletal muscles (SMs) quantity and function may have an impact on patient's phenotype.

AIM

We intended to compare clinical characteristics of phenotypes defined by a combination of various SM mass taken as a fat-free compartment from DEXA scans and different levels of SUCR (Spot Urinary Creatinine). All-cause mortality with mortality predicted by MAGGIC in such phenotypes were compared.

METHODS

In 720 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (age: 52.3 ± 10 years, female: 14%, NYHA: 2.7 ± 0.7, LVEF: 24.3 ± 7.3%), admitted to the hospital for heart transplantation candidacy assessment, morning SUCR along with body composition scanning (DEXA) was performed. All study participants were dichotomized twice, first by low or normal appendicular muscle mass index (ASMI) and second by SUCR (Spot Urinary Creatinine) < and ≥of 1.34 g/L. Four study groups (phenotypes) were created as combinations of lower or higher SUCR and low or normal ASMI.

RESULTS

Low ASMI was found in 242 (33.6%) patients, while the remaining 478 had normal muscle mass. In 446 patients (61.9%), SUCR was <1.34 g/L. During 3 years of follow-up, 223 (31.0%) patients died (all-cause). The phenotype of lower both ASMI and SUCR was associated with the highest mortality. The death rate in phenotype with both low ASMI and SUCR exceeded by 70% the risk estimated by MAGGIC. This difference was significant as judged by the 95% confidence interval for MAGGIC estimation. In Cox regression analysis adjusted for MAGGIC and parameters known to increase risk, the relative risk of patients with phenotype of low both ASMI and SUCR was elevated by 45-55% as compared to patients with all other phenotypes. The protective role of higher SUCR in patients with muscle wasting was, therefore, confirmed in Cox analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of SUCR in HF patients can identify clinical phenotypes with skeletal muscle wasting but strikingly different risk of death that is actually not captured by MAGGIC score. The higher level of SUCR was associated with similar risk independently of presence of muscle wasting. As the analysis of SUCR is cheap and easy to perform, it should be further tested as a potentially useful biomarker, which may precisely phenotype HF patients independently of their skeletal muscle status.

[Évaluation de la qualité de vie et description des facteurs associés, chez les patients en insuffisance cardiaque chronique vivant dans un pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest à faible revenu]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of life (QOL) and describe associated factors in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) living in a low-income population in West Africa.

METHODS

This is was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2017 to June 2018, in the department of cardiology of the University Teaching Hospital (CHU-Campus) in Lomé (Togo). Enrolled patients had stable chronic HF and have been hospitalized in the past 6 months; QOL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ).

RESULTS

171 patients were included (women = 40.9%, 33% unschooled, 75% without health insurance; 46.8% in NYHA class II). The prevalence of depression was 62%. The mean total score of MLHFQ was 37.2 ± 22.3. In univariate analysis, there was a positive correlation between the total score and the following factors: age (r= 0.33, p ˂0.0001), NYHA classes (r= 0.67, p ˂0.0001), number of rehospitalizations (r= 0.61, p ˂0.0001), number of comorbidities (r= 0.43, p ˂0.0001), and the depression score (r= 0.67, p ˂0.0001). After adjustments, positive correlation persisted with NYHA classes (p ˂0.0001), number of rehospitalizations (p= 0.02), and depression (p ˂0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The QOL of HF patients was moderately impaired and was comparable to values reported among high-income populations. Factors associated with poor quality of life were advanced NYHA classes, number of rehospitalizations, and depression.

Impact analysis of heart failure across European countries: an ESC-HFA position paper

Heart failure (HF) is a long-term clinical syndrome, with increasing prevalence and considerable healthcare costs that are further expected to increase dramatically. Despite significant advances in therapy and prevention, mortality and morbidity remain high and quality of life poor. Epidemiological data, that is, prevalence, incidence, mortality, and morbidity, show geographical variations across the European countries, depending on differences in aetiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment. However, data on the prevalence of the disease are scarce, as are those on quality of life. For these reasons, the ESC-HFA has developed a position paper to comprehensively assess our understanding of the burden of HF in Europe, in order to guide future policies for this syndrome. This manuscript will discuss the available epidemiological data on HF prevalence, outcomes, and human costs-in terms of quality of life-in European countries.

Association between heart failure severity and mobility in geriatric patients: an in-clinic study with wearable sensors

BACKGROUND

Individuals with heart failure (HF) frequently experience limitations in mobility, but specific aspects of these limitations are not well understood. This study investigated the association of HF severity, based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes, with digital mobility outcomes (DMOs) and handgrip strength in older inpatients with HF.

METHODS

For this explorative analysis, hospital admission and discharge data from an ongoing, prospective cohort study were used. The sample included older participants with HF and a sub-sample of heart-healthy individuals. Participants were equipped with a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) system during mobility performance (balancing, sit-to-stand transfer, walking). We analyzed the association between 17 DMOs and HF severity with multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

The total sample included 61 older participants (65-97 years of age, 55.7% female). Of all DMOs, only sway path in a semi-tandem stance position (m/s²) showed a relevant association with NYHA classes (admission: β = -0.28, P = 0.09; discharge: β = -0.39, P = 0.02). Handgrip strength showed a trend towards a significant association (admission: β = -0.15, P = 0.10; discharge: β = -0.15, P = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

This is to our best knowledge the first analysis on the association of HF severity and IMU-based DMOs. Sway path and handgrip strength may be the most promising parameters for monitoring mobility aspects in treatment of HF.

Baseline Quality-of-Life of Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure Prior to Advanced Therapies: Findings From the Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Transplant or Mechanical Support (SUSTAIN-IT) Study

BACKGROUND

We compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL), depressive symptoms, anxiety, and burden in caregivers of older patients with heart failure based on the intended therapy goal of the patient: awaiting heart transplantation (HT) with or without mechanical circulatory support (MCS) or prior to long-term MCS; and we identified factors associated with HRQOL.

METHODS

Caregivers (n = 281) recruited from 13 HT and MCS programs in the United States completed measures of HRQOL (EQ-5D-3L), depressive symptoms (PHQ-8), anxiety (STAI-state), and burden (Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale). Analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, χ² tests, and linear regression.

RESULTS

The majority of caregivers were female, white spouses with ≤ 2 comorbidities, median [Q1,Q3] age = 62 [57.8, 67.0] years. Caregivers (HT with MCS = 87, HT without MCS = 98, long-term MCS = 96) reported similarly high baseline HRQOL (EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale median score = 90; P = 0.67 for all groups) and low levels of depressive symptoms. STAI-state median scores were higher in the long-term MCS group vs the HT groups with and without MCS, (38 vs 32 vs 31; P < 0.001), respectively. Burden (task: time spent/difficulty) differed significantly among groups. Caregiver factors (number of comorbidities, diabetes and higher anxiety levels) were significantly associated with worse caregiver HRQOL, R² = 26%.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognizing caregiver-specific factors, including comorbidities and anxiety, associated with the HRQOL of caregivers of these older patients with advanced HF may guide support strategies.

Health‐Related Quality of Life in Older Patients With Advanced Heart Failure: Findings From the SUSTAIN‐IT Study

Background

There is a paucity of research describing health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults considered for advanced heart failure surgical therapies. Using data from our SUSTAIN‐IT (Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Heart Transplant or Mechanical Support) study, we aimed to compare HRQOL among 3 groups of older (60–80 years) patients with heart failure before heart transplantation (HT) or long‐term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and identify factors associated with HRQOL: (1) HT candidates with MCS, (2) HT candidates without MCS, or (3) candidates ineligible for HT and scheduled for long‐term MCS.

Methods and Results

Patients from 13 US sites completed assessments, including self‐reported measures of HRQOL (EuroQol‐5 Dimension Questionnaire, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire–12), depressive symptoms (Personal Health Questionnaire–8), anxiety (State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory–state form), cognitive status (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and performance‐based measures (6‐minute walk test and 5‐m gait speed). Analyses included ANOVA, χ² tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and linear regression. The sample included 393 patients; the majority of patients were White men and married. Long‐term MCS candidates (n=154) were significantly older and had more comorbidities and a higher New York Heart Association class than HT candidates with MCS (n=118) and HT candidates without MCS (n=121). Long‐term MCS candidates had worse HRQOL than HT candidates with and without MCS (EQ‐5D visual analog scale scores, 46±23 versus 68±18 versus 54±23 [P<0.001] and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire–12 overall summary scores, 35±21 versus 60±21 versus 49±22 [P<0.001], respectively). In multivariable analyses, lower 6‐minute walk distance, higher New York Heart Association class, depressive symptoms, and not being an HT candidate with MCS were significantly associated with worse overall HRQOL.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate important differences in overall and domain‐specific HRQOL of older patients with heart failure before HT or long‐term MCS. Understanding HRQOL differences may guide decisions toward more appropriate and personalized advanced heart failure therapies.

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on resistant hypertension and myocardial work in hemodialysis patients

Growing evidences have confirmed the effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan (SV) on antihypertension and cardiac protection in general population. However, there was no prospective study about the effect and safety of SV on resistant hypertension and myocardial work in hemodialysis patients. In this single‐center, prospective, before‐after study, enrolled patients were endured with resistant hypertension for more than 6 months. Participants were initially instructed to take SV 50 mg twice daily, and the dosage was gradually increased up to 100 mg twice daily. The primary outcomes were blood pressure (BP) control, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), myocardial work (MW), fatigue and life quality. In addition, the adverse events were also recorded in this cohort. A total of 18 patients (34–64 years old) was finally enrolled and completed in this study. The SV‐based regimen provided significantly mean sitting systolic BP (msSBP) and mean sitting diastolic BP (msDBP) reductions from baseline (‐20.7/‐8.3 mm Hg), respectively. The cardiac remodeling parameters were partially improved. Compared to the baseline, NT‐proBNP was significantly reduced at week 4 (8119.50 [3710.75, 29300] pg/ml to 7216.50 [4124.75, 17455.00] pg/ml, p = .046), which was much lower at week 12 (3130.50 [2244.50, 9565.70] pg/ml, p = .037). Global MW index was higher at week 12 compared to the baseline (p = .026). MW efficiency was also improved accordingly compared to the baseline, even though the statistical difference was not significant (p = .226). Life quality and fatigue were improved at week 12 compared to the baseline (all p = .000). There was no serious adverse events were observed. SV safely and effectively controlled resistant hypertension and improved MW as well as life quality in hemodialysis patients.

Patient and Caregiver Health-related Quality of Life and Caregiver Burden While Awaiting Heart Transplantation: Findings From the Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Heart Transplant or Mechanical Support (SUSTAIN-IT) Study

Background

We sought to compare change over time (baseline to 2 y) in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between older (60-80 y) patients awaiting heart transplantation (HT) with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) versus without MCS and their caregivers and caregiver burden.

Methods

This study was conducted at 13 United States sites. Patient HRQOL was examined using the EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12). Caregiver measures included the EQ-5D-3L and Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale, measuring time on task and difficulty. Analyses included analysis of variance, χ², and linear regression.

Results

We enrolled 239 HT candidates (n = 118 with MCS and n = 121 without MCS) and 193 caregivers (n = 92 for candidates with MCS and n = 101 for candidates without MCS). Baseline differences in HRQOL were observed between HT candidates with and without MCS: EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale (VAS) score (67.7 ± 17.6 versus 54.1 ± 23.3, P < 0.001) and KCCQ-12 overall summary score (59.9 ± 21.0 versus 48.9 ± 21.6, P < 0.001), respectively. HT candidates with MCS had significantly higher EQ-5D-3L VAS scores and KCCQ-12 overall summary score across time versus without MCS. Baseline EQ-5D-3L VAS scores did not differ significantly between caregivers of HT candidates with and without MCS (84.6 ± 12.9 versus 84.3 ± 14.4, P = 0.9), respectively, nor were there significant between-group differences over time. Caregivers for HT candidates with MCS reported more task difficulty (range: 1 = not difficult to 5 = extremely difficult) versus caregivers for those without MCS at baseline (1.4 ± 0.5 versus 1.2 ± 0.3, P = 0.004) and over time.

Conclusions

Understanding differences in HRQOL and caregiver burden among older HT candidates with and without MCS and their caregivers may inform strategies to enhance HRQOL and reduce burden.

Outcome of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor on anxiety and depression in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction vs. heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Objective: In patients with heart failure (HF), anxiety and depression are commonly observed and confer an adverse outcome. The first-in-class member of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to improve functional class and decrease mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and reduce the readmission of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, its effects on anxiety and depression levels remain unknown.Methods: Sacubitril/valsartan was started on 764 symptomatic patients with HFrEF and HFpEF who were receiving guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Patients were evaluated using Hamilton's depression rating scale (HDRS) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) for their levels of depression and anxiety before and after treatment at a six-month follow-up.Results: A significant reduction in HADS and HDRS scores was observed in patients with HFrEF (9.7 ± 1.3 to 6.4 ± 0.7, p = 0.032 and 19.2 ± 2.2 to 8.9 ± 1.6, p < 0.001, respectively) compared with HFpEF (p = 0.161 and 0.273, respectively). The six-minute walk test (6-MWT) significantly increased HFrEF from 195 ± 68 to 321 ± 97 (p < 0.001). There was an overall improvement in the functional class of all patients.Conclusion: Patients with HFrEF have the additional advantage of using sacubitril/valsartan in the form of decreased anxiety and depression symptoms in addition to an improvement in functional class. However, patients with HFpEF did not exhibit significant improvement in their psychological scores.

The quality of afterlife: surviving extracorporeal life support after therapy-refractory circulatory failure-a comprehensive follow-up analysis

Aims

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) represents a popular treatment option for therapy‐refractory circulatory failure and substantially increases survival. However, comprehensive follow‐up (FU) data beyond short‐term survival are mostly lacking. Here, we analyse functional recovery and quality of life of longer‐term survivors.

Methods and results

Between 2011 and 2016, a total of n = 246 consecutive patients were treated with ECLS for therapy‐refractory circulatory failure in our centre. Out of those, 99 patients (40.2%) survived the first 30 days and were retrospectively analysed. Fifty‐eight patients (23.6%) were still alive after a mean FU of 32.4 ± 16.8 months. All surviving patients were invited to a prospective, comprehensive clinical FU assessment, which was completed by 39 patients (67.2% of survivors). Despite high incidence of early functional impairments, FU assessment revealed a high degree of organ and functional recovery with more than 70% of patients presenting with New York Heart Association class ≤ II, 100% free of haemodialysis, 100% free of moderate or severe neurological disability, 71.8% free of moderate or severe depression, and 84.4% of patients reporting to be caring for themselves without need for assistance.

Conclusions

Patients surviving the first 30 days of ECLS therapy for circulatory failure without severe adverse events have a quite favourable outcome in terms of subsequent survival as well as functional recovery, showing the potential of ECLS therapy for patients to recover. Patients can recover even after long periods of mechanically support and regain physical and mental health to participate in their former daily life and work.

Examining Adherence and Dose Effect of an Early Palliative Care Intervention for Advanced Heart Failure Patients

CONTEXT

Research priority guidelines highlight the need for examining the "dose" components of palliative care (PC) interventions, such as intervention adherence and completion rates, that contribute to optimal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

Examine the "dose" effect of PC intervention completion vs. noncompletion on quality of life (QoL) and healthcare use in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) over 32 weeks.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of the ENABLE CHF-PC intervention trial for patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV HF. "Completers" defined as completing a single, in-person outpatient palliative care consultation (OPCC) plus 6 weekly, PC nurse coach-led telehealth sessions. "Non-completers" were defined as either not attending the OPCC or completing <6 telehealth sessions. Outcome variables were QoL and healthcare resource use (hospital days; emergency department visits). Mixed models were used to model dose effects for "completers" vs "noncompleters" over 32 weeks.

RESULTS

Of 208 intervention group participants, 81 (38.9%) were classified as "completers" with a mean age of 64.6 years; 72.8% were urban-dwelling; 92.5% had NYHA Class III HF. 'Completers' vs. "non-completers"" groups were well-balanced at baseline; however "noncompleters" did report higher anxiety (6.0 vs 7.0, P < 0.05, d = 0.28). Moderate, clinically significant, improved QoL differences were found at 16 weeks in "completers" vs. "non-completers" (between-group difference: -9.71 (3.18), d = 0.47, P = 0.002) but not healthcare use.

CONCLUSION

Higher intervention completion rates of an early PC intervention was associated with QoL improvements in patients with advanced HF. Future work should focus on identifying the most efficacious "dose" of intervention components and increasing adherence to them.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02505425.

Determinants of quality of life in acute heart failure patients with and without comorbidities: a prospective, observational study

AIMS

The relation between non-cardiac comorbidities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with heart failure (HF) has been studied to a limited extent. To investigate the HRQoL and their determinants among HF patients with and without comorbidities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

TRIUMPH (TRanslational Initiative on Unique and novel strategies for Management of Patients with Heart failure) is a Dutch prospective, multicentre study enrolling 496 acute HF patients between 2009 and 2014. We included 334 patients who had completed the HRQoL questionnaires at baseline. The HRQoL was measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) en EuroQuality-of-life five Dimensions (EQ-5D). Comorbidity was defined as having a history of at least one of the following comorbidities: chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and/or cerebrovascular accident. Patients with comorbidity (n = 205, 61%) had lower scores on the physical limitation scale and clinical summary score of the KCCQ (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01, respectively). Female sex, COPD, previous HF, increasing body mass index (BMI), elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high systolic blood pressure, and the presence of anxiety and/or depression negatively influenced the HRQoL among HF patients with comorbidity. Besides anxiety and depression, we hardly found any other determinant of HRQoL in patients without comorbidity.

CONCLUSION

Heart failure patients without comorbidity had better HRQoL than patients with comorbidity. Sex, previous HF, BMI, COPD, systolic blood pressure, NT-proBNP levels, and also anxiety and depression were determinants of HRQoL in patients with comorbidity. In those without comorbidity, apart from anxiety and depression, no further determinants of HRQoL were found.

Patient Perceptions and Familiarity With Medical Therapy for Heart Failure

Importance

There are major gaps in use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure (HF). Patient-reported data outlining patient goals and preferences associated with GDMT are not available.

Objective

To survey patients with chronic HF to better understand their experiences and perceptions of living with HF, including their familiarity and concerns with important GDMT therapies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Study participants were recruited from the GfK KnowledgePanel, a probability-sampled online panel representative of the US adult population. English-speaking adults who met the following criteria were eligible if they were (1) previously told by a physician that they had HF; (2) currently taking medications for HF; and (3) had no history of left ventricular assist device or cardiac transplant. Data were collected between October and November 2018. Analysis began in December 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The survey included 4 primary domains: (1) relative importance of disease-related goals, (2) challenges associated with living with HF, (3) decision-making process associated with HF medication use, and (4) awareness and concerns about available HF medications.

Results

Of 30 707 KnowledgePanel members who received the initial survey, 15 091 (49.1%) completed the screening questions, 440 were eligible and began the survey, and 429 completed the survey. The median (interquartile range) age was 68 (60-75) years and most were white (320 [74.6%]), male (304 [70.9%]), and had at least a high school education (409 [95.3%]). Most survey responders reported familiarity with β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics. Overall, 107 (24.9%) reported familiarity with angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Overall, 136 patients (42.5%) reported have safety concerns regarding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and 133 (38.5%) regarding β-blockers, 35 (37.9%) regarding mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, 38 (36.5%) regarding angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, and 123 (37.2%) regarding diuretics. Between 27.7% (n = 26) and 38.5% (n = 136) reported concerns regarding the effectiveness of β-blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or diuretics, while 41% (n = 132) were concerned with the effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study, many patients were not familiar with GDMT for HF, with familiarity lowest for angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Among patients not familiar with these therapies, significant proportions questioned their effectiveness and/or safety. Enhanced patient education and shared decision-making support may be effective strategies to improve the uptake of GDMT for HF in US clinical practice.

Impact of sacubitril/valsartan treatment on depression and anxiety in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background: In patients with heart failure (HF), depression and anxiety disorders are common and associated with adverse outcomes. Sacubitril/valsartan, which is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), has been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, its effects on depression and anxiety levels remain unclear.Methods: Sacubitril/valsartan was initiated in 115 symptomatic patients with HFrEF receiving an optimal medical treatment with angiotensin inhibition. Patients underwent 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at the switching to ARNI and at the third-month follow-up of the maximum sacubitril/valsartan dose.Results: A significant improvement was observed in BDI-II and BAI scores when compared before and after the sacubitril/valsartan treatment (13.7 ± 9.7 to 7.6 ± 3.8, p < 0.001 and 13.3 ± 8.9 to 8.1 ± 4.1, p < 0.001, respectively). The 6-MWT distance significantly increased from 213 ± 95 to 327 ± 118 mt (p < 0.001). Overall, the patients exhibited a significant functional improvement following the initiation of sacubitril/valsartan: 27% of the patients improved by two New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes, 52% improved by one NYHA functional class, and 31% remained stable.Conclusion: In patients with HFrEF, the switch from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy to sacubitril/valsartan resulted in a significant improvement in both depression, anxiety symptoms and functional statuses.

Burden of Heart Failure on Patient Daily Life and Patient-Physician Discordance in Disease Management - Results From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan

Background: We investigated the impact of heart failure (HF) on daily life and satisfaction with current HF medication from the patient perspective in a real-world study in Japan. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional survey of 154 HF patients treated by 58 cardiologists was conducted in Japan using patient self-completed questionnaires about their daily life and satisfaction with HF medication, as well as patient record forms completed by their physicians capturing corresponding data. The mean age of patients was 72.7 years. The proportion of patients within New York Heart Association Class I, II, III, and IV was 39%, 44%, 16%, and 1%, respectively. Symptoms reported by patients included dyspnea when active (46%), nocturia (43%), anxiety (18%), and depression (6%). There was a discordance between physician- and patient-reported symptoms, especially for nocturia and inability to sleep. The most frequent lifestyle recommendation from physicians was 'reduce salt/sodium intake', but only 51% of patients receiving this recommendation followed the advice. In all, 44% of patients reported dissatisfaction with their current medication; according to the patients, 27% reported no discussion with their physicians about their prescribed medication, while physicians reported the opposite. Conclusions: HF negatively impacts patient daily life. There is discordance between patients and physicians in symptom reporting, lifestyle modification advice and adherence, and reported medication decision making. Gaps in patient-physician communication exist.

Effects of neurohormonal antagonists on blood pressure in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Several cardiovascular pathologies cause heart failure. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is deteriorated by neurohormonal activation, so neurohormonal antagonists are recommended in HFrEF patients. They improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life and reduce hospital admissions. Heart failure treatment guidelines recommend achieving target doses of those drugs. However, many clinicians prescribe suboptimal doses for the fear of inducing hypotension. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to understand whether it is still beneficial to uptitrate the doses of those drugs even if the patient is at the risk of developing hypotension.

METHODS

The primary outcome is symptomatic or asymptomatic hypotension in patients on neurohormonal antagonist drugs for HFrEF. Secondary outcomes are blood pressure reduction, New Yok Heart Association functional class deterioration, non-fatal cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and adverse events. Randomized controlled trials involving adults with HFrEF will be included. Comprehensive literature search will be done in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO Global Index Medicus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. MEDLINE will be searched first using controlled vocabulary and free text terms and then adapted to other databases. Linear and nonlinear dose-response meta-analyses will be conducted. Publication bias and statistical heterogeneity will be tested by Egger's regression and Cochran's Q tests, respectively. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses will be performed. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach will be used to judge the quality of evidence.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide information about the risk of hypotension in patients on neurohormonal antagonist drugs for HFrEF. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The implications for further research will be discussed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019140307.

Real-Life Multimarker Monitoring in Patients with Heart Failure: Continuous Remote Monitoring of Mobility and Patient-Reported Outcomes as Digital End Points in Future Heart-Failure Trials

Aims

Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 26 million people worldwide. With an aging global population, innovative approaches to HF evaluation and management are needed to cope with the worsening HF epidemic. The aim of the Real-Life Multimarker Monitoring in Patients with Heart Failure (REALIsM-HF) study (NCT03507439) is to evaluate a composite instrument comprising remote, real-time, activity-monitoring devices combined with daily electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) items in patients who have been hospitalized for HF and are undergoing standard HF assessment (e.g., 6-min walking distance [6MWD], blood biomarkers, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire [KCCQ], and echocardiography).

Methods

REALIsM-HF is an ongoing, 12-week, observational study enrolling 80-100 patients aged ≥45 years with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; EF ≥45%) or reduced EF (HFrEF; EF ≤35%). Statistical analyses will include examining the association between data from wearables (the AVIVO^© mobile patient management patch or VitalPatch^© biosensor, and the DynaPort MoveMonitor^©), daily ePROs, and conventional HF metrics (e.g., serum/plasma biomarkers, 6MWD, KCCQ, and echocardiographic parameters). The feasibility of and patient compliance with at-home devices will be documented, and the data captured for the purpose of establishing reference values in patients with HFpEF or HFrEF will be summarized.

Conclusions

The REALIsM-HF study is to evaluate the longitudinal daily activity profiles of patients with HF and correlate these with changes in serum/plasma biomarker profiles, symptoms, quality of life, and cardiac function and morphology to inform the use of wearable activity monitors for developing novel therapies and managing patients.

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Physical and Social Activity Limitations in Patients With Heart Failure: A Secondary Analysis of the PARADIGM-HF Trial

Importance

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with heart failure is markedly reduced compared with that in patients with other chronic diseases, demonstrating substantial limitations in physical and social activities. In the Prospective Comparison of ARNI With an ACE-Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial, sacubitril/valsartan improved overall HRQL compared with enalapril, as determined by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).

Objective

To examine the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on physical and social activities.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The PARADIGM-HF trial was a randomized, double-blind, active treatment-controlled clinical trial performed from December 8, 2009, to March 31, 2014, in 8399 patients with New York Heart Association class II to IV disease and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less at 1043 centers in 38 countries. Data analysis was performed from August 1, 2017, to December 25, 2017.

Interventions

Sacubitril/valsartan, 200 mg twice daily, or enalapril, 10 mg twice daily.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patients completed HRQL assessments using the KCCQ at randomization, 4-month, 8-month, and annual visits. The effect of sacubitril/valsartan on components of the physical and social limitation sections of the KCCQ at 8 months and longitudinally and related biomarkers and clinical outcomes were studied.

Results

At baseline, 7618 of 8399 patients (90.7%) (mean [SD] age, 64 [11] years; 5987 [78.6%] male and 1631 [21.4%] female) completed the initial KCCQ assessment. Patients reported the greatest limitations at baseline in jogging and sexual relationships. Patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan had significantly better adjusted change scores in most physical and social activities at 8 months and during 36 months compared with those receiving enalapril. The largest improvement over enalapril was in household chores (adjusted change score difference, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.19-3.50; P < .001) and sexual relationships (adjusted change score difference, 2.72; 95% CI, 0.97-4.46; P = .002); both persisted through 36 months (overall change score difference, 1.69 [95% CI, 0.78-2.60], P < .001; and 2.36 [95% CI, 1.01-3.71], P = .001, respectively).

Conclusions and Relevance

In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, sacubitril/valsartan significantly improved nearly all KCCQ physical and social activities compared with enalapril, with the largest responses in household chores and sexual relationships. In addition to reduced likelihood of cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and heart failure hospitalization, sacubitril/valsartan may improve limitations in common activities in these patients.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01035255.

Impact of cardiac resynchronisation therapy on burden of hospitalisations and survival: a retrospective observational study in the Northern Region of New Zealand

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) devices have been shown to improve heart failure (HF) symptoms, survival and improve quality of life (QoL). We evaluated the overall impact of CRT on recurrent hospitalisations and survival in real-world patients with HF.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Northern region of New Zealand.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with HF who underwent CRT device implantation in between 2008 and 2014 were followed up for 1 year.

INTERVENTIONS

CRT.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURED

Survival, all-cause hospitalisations, length of stay, from which days alive and out of hospital (DAOH) were calculated.

RESULTS

177patients were included, of whom eight died (4.5%) within 1 year of follow-up. Pre-CRT implantation, 83% of all patients had been hospitalised for a total 248 hospitalisation events. Following CRT, 47 patients (27%) were readmitted to hospital within 1 year (total of 98 admissions; p<0.01 compared with pre-device implant). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter than in the year prior to CRT implantation at a median of 4 (IQR 2-6) vs 7 (IQR 3.5-10.5) days (p=0.03). An increase in the median number of DAOH was observed from 362 (IQR 355-364) to 365 (IQR 364-365) (p<0.01) after CRT implant. The improvement in DAOH was seen regardless of gender and type of CRT devices. Greater DAOH was also seen in those with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and Caucasians.

CONCLUSION

After CRT implant, patients with HF have greater DAOH with reduction of total hospitalisation and fewer hospital days. These results support CRT devices use as a treatment option for appropriate HF patients. DAOH represents an easily measured, patient-centred endpoint that may reflect effectiveness of interventions in future CRT studies.

Development and Validation of a Cross-Cultural Heart Failure-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

Objectives

Heart failure (HF) is a common clinical syndrome with an enormous impact on prognosis and lifestyle. Accordingly, rehabilitation measures need to be patient-specific and consider various sociocultural factors so as to improve the patient's quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to develop and validate a HF-specific QOL (HFQOL) questionnaire within a multicultural setting.

Methods

This study took place at the National Heart Institute and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between March 2013 and March 2014. A self-administered 75-item HFQOL questionnaire was designed and administrated to 164 multi-ethnic Malaysian HF patients. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to assess the instrument's construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to determine internal consistency.

Results

A total of 33 out of 75 items were retained in the final tool. The HFQOL questionnaire had three common factors-psychological, physical-social and spiritual wellbeing-resulting in a cumulative percentage of total variance of 44.3%. The factor loading ranges were 0.450-0.718 for psychological wellbeing (12 items), 0.394-0.740 for physical-social wellbeing (14 items) and 0.449-0.727 for spiritual wellbeing (seven items). The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.82, with coefficients of 0.86, 0.88 and 0.79 for the psychological, physical-social and spiritual wellbeing subdomains, respectively.

Conclusion

The HFQOL questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable measure of QOL among Malaysian HF patients from various ethnic groups. Such tools may facilitate cardiac care management planning among multi-ethnic patients with HF.

Self-care interventions for adults with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

AIM

To synthesize and compare outcomes from controlled trials of interventions to improve heart failure self-care among adults.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure self-care interventions are recommended for preventing and detecting exacerbations, improving symptom management and preventing hospitalizations. Little is known about the overall effectiveness of heart failure self-care programmes and which types of interventions show the greatest improvement in outcomes.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis, including moderator analyses.

METHODS

Multiple databases (including MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) will be searched from inception through 2018 along with grey literature searches to identify trials testing interventions to improve self-care outcomes of adults with heart failure. Data will be extracted from eligible studies on sample, methodological and intervention characteristics and data to calculate effect sizes. Data will be analysed using random-effects models. Moderator variables will be analysed with meta-regression and sub-group analyses. Risk for bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk for Bias tool and by examining potential sources of bias as moderator variables. Funding for this project began in July 2017.

DISCUSSION

We will analyse self-care behaviour outcomes and clinical outcomes including hospitalizations, mortality, disease severity and quality of life. This will be the most extensive meta-analysis of heart failure self-care interventions to date.

IMPACT

Comparative effectiveness of existing self-care interventions is not yet known. This research will identify the most promising self-care intervention components for designing better interventions and guide targeting of interventions to specific sub-populations. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42017075831.

Palliative care in heart failure : A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Palliative care can play an important role in the management of heart failure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of palliative care in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the impact of palliative care on heart failure were included. Two investigators independently searched the articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcome was mortality.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with usual care for heart failure, palliative care was associated with a significantly increased quality of life (standardized mean difference = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12 to 2.79; p = 0.03) and reduced depression scores (standardized mean difference = -0.62; 95% CI = -0.99 to -0.25; p = 0.03), but demonstrated no impact on mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.86 to 1.92; p = 0.22) and rehospitalization (RR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.66 to 1.07; p = 0.16).

CONCLUSION

Palliative care can improve the quality of life and reduce the occurrence of depression in patients with heart failure.

Social support, self-rated health and low mood in people on sick leave due to heart failure: a cross-sectional study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate social support in relation to self-rated health and the prevalence of low mood in people on sick leave due to heart failure.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used, and 590 individuals on sick leave due to heart failure in Sweden responded to the postal questionnaire. The questions therein concerned received and needed functional and structural support from managers, work colleagues, families and friends. Multivariate analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

The variables of income and needed support from family contributed significantly and negatively to self-rated health. Those who perceived that they needed more support from their manager reported experiencing low mood more frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed a negative relation between manager support and low mood. Thus, support from managers and perceptions of low mood during sick leave are negatively associated, however, we do not know anything about the causality of this association. The results also indicated that needed support from family was negatively associated with self-rated health. The results also highlighted a multidimensional frailty in people with heart failure that needs to be recognized in future research as well as in clinical practice.

Engaging patients and families to create a feasible clinical trial integrating palliative and heart failure care: results of the ENABLE CHF-PC pilot clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Early palliative care (EPC) is recommended but rarely integrated with advanced heart failure (HF) care. We engaged patients and family caregivers to study the feasibility and site differences in a two-site EPC trial, ENABLE CHF-PC (Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends Comprehensive Heartcare for Patients and Caregivers).

METHODS

We conducted an EPC feasibility study (4/1/14-8/31/15) for patients with NYHA Class III/IV HF and their caregivers in academic medical centers in the northeast and southeast U.S. The EPC intervention comprised: 1) an in-person outpatient palliative care consultation; and 2) telephonic nurse coach sessions and monthly calls. We collected patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes of quality of life (QOL), symptom, health, anxiety, and depression at baseline, 12- and 24-weeks. We used linear mixed-models to assess baseline to week 24 longitudinal changes.

RESULTS

We enrolled 61 patients and 48 caregivers; between-site demographic differences included age, race, religion, marital, and work status. Most patients (69%) and caregivers (79%) completed all intervention sessions; however, we noted large between-site differences in measurement completion (38% southeast vs. 72% northeast). Patients experienced moderate effect size improvements in QOL, symptoms, physical, and mental health; caregivers experienced moderate effect size improvements in QOL, depression, mental health, and burden. Small-to-moderate effect size improvements were noted in patients' hospital and ICU days and emergency visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Between-site demographic, attrition, and participant-reported outcomes highlight the importance of intervention pilot-testing in culturally diverse populations. Observations from this pilot feasibility trial allowed us to refine the methodology of an in-progress, full-scale randomized clinical efficacy trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03177447 (retrospectively registered, June 2017).

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Heart failure is a global public health problem that affects more than 26 million people worldwide. The global burden of heart failure is growing and is expected to increase substantially with the ageing of the population. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction accounts for approximately 50% of all cases of heart failure in the United States and is associated with substantial morbidity and reduced quality of life. Several diseases, such as myocardial infarction, certain infectious diseases and endocrine disorders, can initiate a primary pathophysiological process that can lead to reduced ventricular function and to heart failure. Initially, ventricular impairment is compensated for by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but chronic activation of these pathways leads to worsening cardiac function. The symptoms of heart failure can be associated with other conditions and include dyspnoea, fatigue, limitations in exercise tolerance and fluid accumulation, which can make diagnosis difficult. Management strategies include the use of pharmacological therapies and implantable devices to regulate cardiac function. Despite these available treatments, heart failure remains incurable, and patients have a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Consequently, the development of new therapies is imperative and requires further research.

Areas for quality improvements in heart failure care: quality of care from the family members' perspective

BACKGROUND

The complex needs of people with chronic heart failure (HF) place great demands on their family members, and it is important to ask family members about their perspectives on the quality of HF care.

OBJECTIVE

To describe family members' perceptions of quality of HF care in an outpatient setting.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using a short form of the Quality from Patients' Perspective (QPP) questionnaire for data collection. The items in the questionnaire measure four dimensions of quality, and each item consists of both the perceived reality of the care and its subjective importance. The study included 57 family members of patients with severe HF in NYHA class III-IV.

RESULTS

Family members reported areas for quality improvements in three out of four dimensions and in dimensionless items. The lowest level of perceived reality was reported for treatment for confusion and loss of appetite. Treatment for shortness of breath, access to the apparatus and access to equipment necessary for medical care were the items with the highest subjective importance for the family members.

CONCLUSION

Family members identified important areas for quality improvement in the care for patients with HF in an outpatient setting. In particular, symptom alleviation, information to patients, patient participation and access to care were identified as areas for improvements. Thus, measuring quality from the family members' perspective with the QPP might be a useful additional perspective when it comes to the planning and implementation of changes in the organisation of HF care.

Self-care and health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure: A longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Self-care is assumed to benefit health outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), but the evidence is conflicting for health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this study was to examine the association of (changes in) self-care with HRQOL while adjusting for psychological distress.

METHODS

In total, 459 patients (mean age = 66.1 ± 10.5 years, 73% male) with chronic HF completed questionnaires at baseline and at 6, 12 and 18 months of follow-up. Self-care and HF-specific HRQOL were quantified with the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour scale and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Using general linear models, multivariable between-subject (estimate = -0.14, p = 0.005) and no within-subject effects of self-care were found for better HRQOL over time. Associations between self-care and HRQOL were fully explained by depression (estimate = 1.77, p < 0.001). Anxiety (estimate = 4.49, p < 0.001) and Type D personality (estimate = 13.3, p < 0.001) were associated with poor HRQOL, but only partially accounted for the relationship between self-care and emotional HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-care was prospectively associated with better disease-specific HRQOL in patients with HF, which was fully accounted for by depression, and partially accounted for by anxiety and Type D personality. Changes in self-care within a person did not affect HRQOL. Psychological distress should be considered in future efforts to address self-care and HRQOL.

Pain and Functional Status in Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices

CONTEXT

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been shown to improve survival and overall quality of life, but there are limited data on pain control and functional status in this patient population.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined changes in pain, functional status, and quality of life over time in VAD patients.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study before or as early after VAD implant as possible and then followed for up to 48 weeks. The Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess pain. The Katz Independent Activities of Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess functional status. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, a 23-item questionnaire covering five domains (physical function, symptoms, social function, self-efficacy, and quality of life), was used to assess quality of life and health status.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled at four medical centers. The median Brief Pain Inventory severity score was 2.8 (interquartile range 0.5-5.0) before implantation and 0.0 (interquartile range 0.0-5.3) 48 weeks after implantation (P = 0.0009). Katz Independent Activities of Daily Living summary scores also demonstrated significant improvement over time (P < 0.0001). Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary scales demonstrated significant improvement with time (P < 0.0016).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that patients with VADs experienced improved pain, functional status, and quality of life over time. These data may be useful to help patients make decisions when they are considering undergoing VAD implantation.

Cognitive impairment, symptoms of depression, and health-related quality of life in patients with severe stable heart failure

Background/Objective: Diseases of the cardiovascular system and depression are common, and they often coexist, significantly deteriorating the quality of life. Another factor influencing vital functions is impairment of cognitive functions occurring in patients with heart failure (HF). Deficits of different degrees of severity have been observed within a variety of cognitive domains. Cognitive deficits, which may impair daily functioning, hinder adaptation to the disease and worsen prognosis, are also observed in depression. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the quality of life, the severity of depressive disorders and disorders of certain executive functions, and memory in patients with severe, stable heart failure. Method: The study group consisted of 50 patients with stable, severe heart failure and 50 appropriately selected patients with coronary heart disease, without heart failure. Results: The results of cognitive tests are significantly lower in the HF group than in the control group. In the HF group, a significantly lower quality of life, as well as a higher result in the BDI-II test, was observed. No influence of cognitive disorders on the reduction in the quality of life was demonstrated. The factor that significantly affects the quality of life is the intensification of depression symptoms. Conclusions: The factor that significantly affects the quality of life is the intensification of depression symptoms.

Effect of Support Group Intervention Applied to the Caregivers of Individuals With Heart Failure on Caregiver Outcomes

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of support group intervention applied to the caregivers of individuals with heart failure on caregiver outcomes. Quasi-experimental research was conducted with 69 caregivers as control (n = 35) and intervention (n = 34) groups in the cardiology outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The intervention group participated in support group meetings structured according to the Neuman Systems Model, and the data were collected from both the intervention and control groups before the intervention and 3 and 6 months later. Caregivers in the intervention group had significantly lower burden scores compared with the control group in all subdimensions except objective personal care, in terms of the group × time interaction in a statistical way (P < .05). Caregivers in the intervention and control groups had similar scores of depression symptoms (P > .05). The burden of caregivers in the intervention group showed a statistically significant decrease compared with the preintervention in all dimensions at 3 months. Thus, it is suggested to extend the support group interventions for caregivers of patients with heart failure and conduct these interventions in a longer period.

Acupuncture for heart failure: A systematic review of clinical studies

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture has been used for treating heart failure mainly in combination with conventional treatments, but evidence for its effectiveness and safety has not been well established. Our aim was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for heart failure and assess the clinical evidence.

METHODS

Electronic databases such as Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and certain Chinese & Korean databases were searched until October 2015. The main outcomes assessed were mortality, New York Heart Association (NYHA) function classifications, and acupuncture-related adverse events. The details of acupuncture intervention were also investigated.

RESULTS

Among 4107 publications, seven RCTs were included; most of them showed considerable methodological flaws. We could not conduct a meta-analysis because of the heterogeneity of the included studies. In one acute heart failure study, acupuncture shortened intensive care unit (ICU) stay by 2.2days (95% CI 1.26, 3.14) and reduced the risk ratio of re-admission to 0.53 (95% CI 0.28, 0.99). However, mortality was not affected. Hemodynamic parameters also showed improvement. Another study reported an improved left ventricular ejection fraction by 9.95% (95% CI 3.24, 16.66). In five chronic heart failure studies, acupuncture improved exercise capacity, quality of life, hemodynamic parameters, and time domain heart rate variability parameters. Acupuncture decreased NT-pro BNP levels by 292.20 (95% CI -567.36, -17.04). No adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of acupuncture as a therapy for heart failure is currently inconclusive. Further large and rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish its clinical utility.

Feasibility and acceptability of a nursing intervention with family caregiver on self-care among heart failure patients: a randomized pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Self-care practices in heart failure (HF) contribute to quality of life, symptom stabilization, and extended life expectancy. However, adherence to practices such as liquid and salt restriction or symptom monitoring require high motivation on a daily basis. The aim was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a nursing intervention with family caregivers, aimed at improving self-care practice of HF patients.

METHODS

This pilot study involved 32 HF patient-caregiver dyads (16/group) randomized to an experimental (EG) or control group (CG). The intervention, based on the Self-Determination Theory, was designed to enhance patients' autonomy and motivation in self-care practices, by involving their caregivers' support. Five encounters were planned with the EG dyads-two face-to-face during hospitalization and three by telephone after discharge. The feasibility of delivering the protocol was evaluated as well as the acceptability of the intervention. The potential effectiveness of the intervention was assessed based on patient outcomes, including general self-care management and self-care specific to HF, perceived competence to manage HF, autonomous motivation (A-motivation, external extrinsic motivation, internal extrinsic motivation, and intrinsic motivation), and perceived support from the caregiver. Caregiver outcomes included level of support provided to the patient.

RESULTS

Despite recruitment challenges, the intervention was feasible, with 12 of the 16 dyads receiving all 5 encounters delivered per protocol. The 4 other dyads received the two hospital encounters, but at least 1 of the 3 post-discharge planned telephone encounters was not feasible because the patients had been re-hospitalized or was deceased. Participant's satisfaction with the intervention was high. Outcomes favoring the EG include self-care specific to HF, internal extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, and caregiver's feeling that they provide a higher level of support.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregiver involvement was found to be both a feasible and acceptable means of supporting self-care practice in HF patients. This approach presents a potential avenue for enhancing patients' efforts in this regard. However, this pilot study offers preliminary findings only, which need to be replicated in a phase 3 clinical trial.

An integrated review of interventions to improve psychological outcomes in caregivers of patients with heart failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article examines interventions aimed at improving psychological outcomes (e.g., caregiver burden, quality of life, anxiety, depression, perceived control, stress mastery, caregiver confidence and preparedness, and caregiver mastery) in family caregivers of patients with heart failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

Eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. The most common intervention involved psychoeducation facilitated by a nurse (6/8) and supplemented with a combination of follow-up face-to-face sessions (2/6), home visits (2/6), telephone calls (3/6), and telemonitoring (3/6). Two studies used a support group intervention of four to six sessions. Half of the interventions reported a significant effect on one or more primary outcomes, including caregiver burden (n = 4), depressive symptoms (n = 1), stress mastery (n = 1), caregiver confidence and preparedness (n = 1), and caregiver mastery (n = 1).

SUMMARY

Compared with dementia and cancer family caregiving, few interventions have been evaluated in caregivers of patients with heart failure. Of the existing interventions identified in this review, considerable variability was observed in aims, intervention content, delivery methods, duration, intensity, methodological rigor, outcomes, and effects. Given this current state of the science, direct comparison of heart failure caregiver interventions and recommendations for clinical practice are premature. Thus, research priority is strongly warranted for intervention development and testing to enhance heart failure caregiver support and education.

The patient perspective: Quality of life in advanced heart failure with frequent hospitalisations

End of life is an unfortunate but inevitable phase of the heart failure patients' journey. It is often preceded by a stage in the progression of heart failure defined as advanced heart failure, and characterised by poor quality of life and frequent hospitalisations. In clinical practice, the efficacy of treatments for advanced heart failure is often assessed by parameters such as clinical status, haemodynamics, neurohormonal status, and echo/MRI indices. From the patients' perspective, however, quality-of-life-related parameters, such as functional capacity, exercise performance, psychological status, and frequency of re-hospitalisations, are more significant. The effects of therapies and interventions on these parameters are, however, underrepresented in clinical trials targeted to assess advanced heart failure treatment efficacy, and data are overall scarce. This is possibly due to a non-universal definition of the quality-of-life-related endpoints, and to the difficult standardisation of the data collection. These uncertainties also lead to difficulties in handling trade-off decisions between quality of life and survival by patients, families and healthcare providers. A panel of 34 experts in the field of cardiology and intensive cardiac care from 21 countries around the world convened for reviewing the existing data on quality-of-life in patients with advanced heart failure, discussing and reaching a consensus on the validity and significance of quality-of-life assessment methods. Gaps in routine care and research, which should be addressed, were identified. Finally, published data on the effects of current i.v. vasoactive therapies such as inotropes, inodilators, and vasodilators on quality-of-life in advanced heart failure patients were analysed.

The real world mental health needs of heart failure patients are not reflected by the depression randomized controlled trial evidence

INTRODUCTION

International depression screening guidelines in heart failure (HF) are partly based on depression treatment efficacy from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Our aim was to test the external validity of depression RCT criteria in a sample of real-world HF patients.

METHODS

HF patients admitted to 3 hospitals in South Australia were referred to a HF psychologist if not already receiving current psychiatric management by psychologist or psychiatrist elsewhere. Screening and referral protocol consisted of the following; (a). Patient Health Questionnaire ≥ 10; (b). Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire ≥ 7); (c). positive response to 1 item panic attack screener; (d). evidence of suicidality. Patients were evaluated against the most common RCT exclusion criteria personality disorder, high suicide risk, cognitive impairment, psychosis, alcohol or substance abuse or dependency, bi-polar depression.

RESULTS

Total 81 HF patients were referred from 404 HF admissions, and 73 were assessed (age 60.6 ± 13.4, 47.9% female). Nearly half (47%) met at least 1 RCT exclusion criterion, most commonly personality disorder (28.5%), alcohol/substance abuse (17.8%) and high suicide risk (11.0%). RCT ineligibility criteria was more frequent among patients with major depression (76.5% vs. 46.2%, p<.01) and dysthymia (26.5% vs. 7.7%, p = .03) but not significantly associated with anxiety disorders. RCT ineligible patients reported greater severity of depression (M = 16.6 ± 5.0 vs. M = 12.9 ± 7.2, p = .02) and were higher consumers of HF psychotherapy services (M = 11.5 ± 4.7 vs. M = 8.5 ± 4.8, p = .01).

CONCLUSION

In this real-world sample comparable in size to recent RCT intervention arms, patients with depression disorders presented with complex psychiatric needs including comorbid personality disorders, alcohol/substance use and suicide risk. These findings suggest external validity of depression screening and RCTs could serve as a basis for level A guideline recommendations in cardiovascular diseases.

Cost-effectiveness of a nurse-led education and psychosocial programme for patients with chronic heart failure and their partners

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This randomised controlled trial was conducted to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a nurse-led education and psychosocial support programme for patients with heart failure (HF) and their partners.

BACKGROUND

There are few studies evaluating cost-effectiveness of interventions among HF patient-partner dyads.

METHODS

Dyads randomised to the experimental group received nurse-led counselling, computer-based education and written materials aimed at developing problem-solving skills at two, six and 12 weeks after hospitalisation with HF exacerbation. The dyads in the control group received usual care. A cost-effectiveness analysis that included costs associated with staff time to deliver the intervention and travel costs was conducted at 12 months. Quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) weights for patients and partners were estimated by SF-6D.

RESULTS

A total of 155 dyads were included. The intervention cost was €223 per patient. Participants in both groups showed improvements in QALY weights after 12 months. However, no significant difference in QALY weights was found between the patients in the two groups, nor among their partners.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was not proven cost-effective, neither for patients nor for partners. The intervention, however, had trends (but not significant) effects on the patient-partner dyads, and by analysing the QALY gained from the dyad, a reasonable mean cost-effectiveness ratio was achieved.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The study shows trends of a cost-effective education and psychosocial care of HF patient-partner dyads.

Validity and reliability of the caregiver contribution to self-care of heart failure index

BACKGROUND

Caregivers make an important contribution to the self-care of patients with heart failure (HF), but few instruments are available to measure this contribution.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Contribution to Self-care of Heart Failure Index (CC-SCHFI), an instrument derived from the Self-care of Heart Failure Index version 6.2. The CC-SCHFI measures the contribution of caregivers to the self-care maintenance and self-care management of HF patients, as well as their confidence in their ability to contribute to the patients' HF self-care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used to study 291 Italian caregivers whose HF patients were cared for in 17 cardiovascular centers across Italy. Caregivers completed the CC-SCHFI and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Caregivers were retested on the CC-SCHFI 2 weeks later to assess test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

Most caregivers were women (66%) with a mean age of 59 years. First- and second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for each CC-SCHFI scale showed good model fit: χ2 = 37.22, P = .08, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.97, Non-Normed Fit Index (NNFI) = 0.96 for caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance (second-order CFA); χ2 = 14.05, P = .12, CFI = 0.96, NNFI = 0.93 for caregiver contribution to self-care management (first-order CFA); and χ2 = 10.63, P = .15, CFI = 0.99, NNFI = 0.98 for caregiver confidence in contributing to self-care (second-order CFA). The CC-SCHFI was able to discriminate statistical and clinical differences between 2 groups of caregivers who had received or not received HF self-care education. Internal consistency reliability measured by factor score determinacy was more than .80 for all factors and scales except for 1 factor in the caregiver contribution to self-care management scale (.65). Test-retest reliability computed by intraclass correlation coefficient was high (>0.90) for most factors and scales.

CONCLUSION

The CC-SCHFI showed good psychometric properties of validity and reliability and can be used to measure the contribution of caregiver to HF patient self-care.