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Updated: May 3, 2026
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Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
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[Palliative care for patients with heart failure]
G Texier1, W Rhondali2, E Meunier-Lafay3
1Équipe mobile de soins palliatifs, Hôtel-Dieu, centre hospitalier de Pontchaillou, 35000 Rennes, France.
Annales De Cardiologie Et D'Angeiologie
|February 4, 2014
Summary
Palliative care access for end-stage heart failure patients was limited, with frequent symptoms like dyspnea and pain often unaddressed by psychologists. Further integration of palliative care is needed for better symptom management in terminal heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Care
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Heart failure is a prevalent condition with high mortality in its advanced stages.
- End-stage heart failure necessitates comprehensive symptom management and supportive care.
- Integrated palliative care aims to improve quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the integration of palliative care into the routine management of patients with terminal heart failure.
- To assess palliative care access during the last hospitalization and in the six months preceding death.
- To identify symptom burden and care practices in the final days of life for heart failure patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing patient records from two hospitals for deaths in 2009.
- Inclusion of 40 cases (20 per institution) of patients who died from heart failure.
- Anti-chronological review of patient records from December 31, 2009.
Main Results:
- Most patients (93%) were hospitalized as emergencies during their final illness.
- Common symptoms within three days of death included dyspnea (82%) and pain (75%).
- Limited access to psychological support was noted; comfort care decisions were made for 60% of patients, with a median of 2 days between decision and death.
Conclusions:
- Terminal heart failure patients experience significant symptom burden requiring multidisciplinary palliative care.
- Current practices indicate a substantial gap in the integration of palliative care into routine heart failure management.
- Enhanced multidisciplinary approaches are crucial for improving end-of-life care in heart failure.
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