Effects of a diuretic adjustment algorithm protocol on heart failure admissions: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a diuretic adjustment algorithm (DAA) in maintaining clinical stability and reducing HF readmissions using telemonitoring technologies.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trial of patients with an indication for furosemide dose adjustment during routine outpatient visits. In the intervention group (IG), the diuretic dose was adjusted according to the DAA and the patients received telephone calls for 30 days. In the control group (CG), the diuretic dose was adjusted by a physician at baseline only. Co-primary outcomes were hospital readmission and/or emergency department visits due to decompensated HF within 90 days, and a 2-point change in the Clinical Congestion Score and/or a deterioration in New York Heart Association functional class within 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 206 patients were included. Most patients were male (n=119; 58%), with a mean age of 62 (SD 13) years. Four patients (2%) in the IG and 14 (7%) in the CG were hospitalized for HF (odds ratio (OR) 0.31 (0.10-0.91); p=0.04). Multivariate analysis showed a reduction of 67% in readmissions and/or emergency department visits due to decompensated HF in the IG compared with the CG (95% CI 0.13-0.88; p=0.027). Regarding the combined outcome of HF readmission and/or emergency department visits or clinical instability, the IG had 20% fewer events than the CG within 30 days (IG: n=48 (23%), CG: n=70 (34%); OR 0.80 (0.63-0.93); p=0.03).

DISCUSSION

Using DAA improved the combined outcome in these outpatients, with favorable and significant results that included a reduction in HF admissions and in clinical instability. (NCT02068937).

Continuous Intravenous Inotropes in Ward Units: Expanding Therapy Outside Intensive Care using a Safety-Oriented Protocol

Selected clinically stable patients with heart failure (HF) who require prolonged intravenous inotropic therapy may benefit from its continuity out of the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to report on the initial experience and safety of a structured protocol for inotropic therapy in non-intensive care units in 28 consecutive patients hospitalized with HF that were discharged from ICU. The utilization of low to moderate inotropic doses oriented by a safety-focused process of care may reconfigure their role as a transition therapy while awaiting definitive advanced therapies and enable early ICU discharge.

Profile of the nursing diagnoses in stable heart disease patients

OBJECTIVES

To identify the nursing diagnoses through reports in the medical records of patients monitored in a specialized ischemic heart disease outpatient clinic.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection in the medical records. From the data collected, the nursing diagnoses were proposed by the researchers and submitted for validation by specialist cardiology nurses.

RESULTS

A total of 13 nursing diagnoses were evaluated from the medical records of 50 outpatients with the following validation agreements among the specialists: Ineffective health management (100%), Noncompliance (100%), Sedentary lifestyle (100%), Activity intolerance (100%), Decreased cardiac output (88%), Risk of decreased cardiac tissue perfusion (65%), Risk of intolerance to activity (65%), Acute pain (76%), Ineffective health maintenance (65%), Risk-prone health behavior (65%), Risk for decreased cardiac output (65%), Risk for intolerance to activity (65%), Ineffective respiratory pattern (53%), Impaired memory (29%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the nursing diagnoses validated for stable heart disease patients were linked to adherence to treatment and to the cardiovascular responses of the patients, reinforcing the importance of early intervention. These results allow the multidisciplinary team to individualize the goals and interventions proposed for ischemic heart disease patients.