Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Pre-clinical Model of Cardiac Donation after Circulatory Death
06:26

Pre-clinical Model of Cardiac Donation after Circulatory Death

Published on: August 2, 2019

8.4K

Approach to advanced heart failure at the end of life

Leah Steinberg1, Meghan White2, Jennifer Arvanitis3

  • 1Palliative care physician at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ont. leah.steinberg@sinaihealthsystem.ca.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|September 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

This study outlines symptom management for advanced heart failure (HF) patients, offering a home-based protocol to improve quality of life. Optimizing diuresis at home can enhance symptom control and reduce healthcare burdens.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Palliative Care
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Advanced heart failure (HF) presents complex symptom management challenges.
  • Effective symptom control is crucial for improving quality of life in advanced HF patients.
  • Palliative care principles are integral to managing advanced HF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of symptom management strategies for advanced heart failure (HF).
  • To introduce a home-based protocol for managing advanced HF, focusing on diuresis.
  • To facilitate end-of-life discussions through patient education on illness trajectory.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of palliative care and heart failure in PubMed and other databases.
  • Review of relevant articles to synthesize current management approaches.
  • Development of a specific home-based medical management protocol by the "HeartFull" collaborative team.

Main Results:

  • Patient education on advanced HF and illness trajectory can promote end-of-life discussions.
  • Home-based care, including optimized diuresis, can improve symptom management in advanced HF.
  • Improved symptom management is anticipated to reduce patient and healthcare system burden and enhance health-related quality of life.

Conclusions:

  • This article summarizes common symptom management techniques for advanced HF.
  • A home diuresis protocol, detailing oral and intravenous diuretic therapy, is presented.
  • Guidelines for the home diuresis protocol are accessible via CFPlus.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

25.3K
Induction and Phenotyping of Acute Right Heart Failure in a Large Animal Model of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension07:41

Induction and Phenotyping of Acute Right Heart Failure in a Large Animal Model of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Published on: March 17, 2022

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
430
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
573
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
459
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
392
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
510
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
4.1K