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Published on: February 13, 2021
Management of heart failure in Canadian long-term care facilities
George A Heckman1, Brian Misiaszek, Fatima Merali
1McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. heck0@sympatico.ca
Insights
Heart failure is prevalent in Canadian long-term care (LTC) facilities, affecting 20% of residents. Current management often deviates from guidelines, indicating a need for improved care strategies for this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Heart failure is a common condition in long-term care (LTC) settings.
- Current treatment and management of heart failure in Canadian LTC facilities are not well-documented.
- There is a lack of Canadian research on heart failure within LTC populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of heart failure in Canadian LTC facilities.
- To document the existing management practices for heart failure in LTC.
- To characterize LTC residents with heart failure and identify factors influencing treatment adherence.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted across eight LTC facilities.
- The study included a total of 1223 residents.
- Data collected focused on heart failure diagnosis, management, and resident characteristics.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of heart failure was found to be 20% in the surveyed LTC facilities.
- Residents with heart failure were older, more often female, functionally impaired, and had more comorbidities compared to trial participants.
- Inadequate documentation for heart failure diagnosis was noted, with potential misattribution of symptoms. Prescription rates for ACE inhibitors (55%) and beta-blockers (25%) were documented, with only 45% of ACE inhibitor use at appropriate doses. Potentially hazardous medication regimens were prescribed to 43% of residents.
Conclusions:
- Heart failure is a significant health issue in Canadian LTC facilities.
- Current heart failure management in LTC does not align with established treatment guidelines.
- There is a critical need for enhanced diagnostic tools for frail elderly patients and further research into prescribing practices for heart failure medications in LTC settings.
Background:
In long-term care (LTC) facilities, heart failure is common but undertreated. No Canadian studies of heart failure in LTC facilities have been reported.
Objectives:
To estimate the prevalence of heart failure in Canadian LTC facilities; to document the management of heart failure in LTC; and to describe characteristics of LTC residents with heart failure and predictors of adherence to treatment guidelines.
Methods:
Cross-sectional survey in eight LTC facilities lodging 1223 residents.
Results:
The prevalence of heart failure was 20%. LTC residents with heart failure were older, more often women, and more functionally impaired and burdened by comorbidity than were participants in heart failure trials. Documentation supporting the heart failure diagnosis was inadequate, with some symptoms possibly misattributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were prescribed to 55% of residents, although only 45% received appropriate doses. Residents with hypertension or diabetes mellitus, using nitrates or who were male were more likely to receive ACE inhibitors. Appropriate ACE inhibitor doses were associated with functional impairment, nitrate use and recent hospitalization. Documentation of systolic dysfunction was associated with a greater likelihood of ACE inhibitor use. Beta-blockers were prescribed to 25% of residents, who were more likely to be using nitrates, have ischemic heart disease or had been recently hospitalized, and less likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Residents with atrial fibrillation were more likely to be prescribed digoxin. Potentially hazardous regimens were prescribed to 43% of residents.
Conclusions:
Heart failure is common in Canadian LTC facilities. Management of heart failure in LTC does not conform to guidelines. Improved diagnostic methods tailored for frail elderly patients must be developed. Studies are needed to understand and identify factors influencing prescribing for heart failure medication in LTC.
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