End-of-life Preferences in Elderly Patients Admitted for Heart Failure

Overview

Journal QJM

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2004 Dec 1

PMID 15569812

Citations 21

Authors

F Formiga

D Chivite

C Ortega

S Casas

J M Ramon

R Pujol

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Heart failure is increasing in prevalence and incidence, with considerable mortality among the elderly.

Aim: To determine preferences concerning cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (CPR) and end-of-life care in elderly patients hospitalized for heart failure.

Design: Prospective interview-based survey.

Methods: Patients >64 years old admitted for acute heart failure were interviewed to address their preferences regarding end-of-life care and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when facing the last stages of their disease.

Results: We interviewed 80 patients (mean age 79 years; 58% women). Thirty-two (40%) expressed a wish not to have CPR. Only two had previously discussed their CPR preferences with their physicians. When recovery from the illness was considered unlikely, 40 (50%) participants preferred to receive treatment at home, 32 (40%) preferred in-hospital management, and 8 (10%) were unsure. Thirty-three patients (41%) expressed a desire for spiritual support, 38 (48%) said not and the remaining 9 (11%) were indifferent.

Discussion: Advance planning of end-of-life procedures and doctor-patient communication regarding these items remains poor and must be improved.

Citing Articles

Barriers and facilitators for cardiopulmonary resuscitation discussions with people with heart failure.

Barnes-Harris M, Datla S, Abel A, Clark A, Johnson M PLoS One. 2024; 19(12):e0314631.

PMID: 39739958 PMC: 11687877. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314631.

Trends in In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Admitted With Cardiovascular Diseases in the United States With Demographics and Risk Factors of All Cardiovascular In-Hospital Mortality: Analysis of the 2021 National Inpatient Sample Database.

Morgan M, Yellapu V, Short D, Ruggeri C Cureus. 2024; 16(10):e70620.

PMID: 39483569 PMC: 11526619. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.70620.

Palliative Care in Heart Failure: Challenging Prognostication.

Egidio de Sousa I, Pedroso A, Chambino B, Roldao M, Pinto F, Guerreiro R Cureus. 2021; 13(9):e18301.

PMID: 34722076 PMC: 8548045. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18301.

What is Quality End-of-Life Care for Patients With Heart Failure? A Qualitative Study With Physicians.

Hutchinson R, Gutheil C, Wessler B, Prevatt H, Sawyer D, Han P J Am Heart Assoc. 2020; 9(18):e016505.

PMID: 32862771 PMC: 7727006. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.120.016505.

The use of hospital-based services by heart failure patients in the last year of life: a discussion paper.

Singh G, Davidson P, Macdonald P, Newton P Heart Fail Rev. 2018; 24(2):199-207.

PMID: 30392031 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-018-9751-7.