Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
14:24
Percutaneous Contrast Echocardiography-guided Intramyocardial Injection and Cell Delivery in a Large Preclinical Model
Published on: January 21, 2018
11.7K
The effects of palliative care on patients with different classes heart function: A pilot study
Renhao Ze1, Ling Li2, Benling Qi2
1Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China; MDT Team of Geriatric Palliative Care, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China.
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|October 2, 2023
Summary
Palliative care significantly improves anxiety and depression in advanced heart failure patients (NYHA class III/IV). It also enhances quality of life for NYHA class IV patients, but shows no benefit for NYHA class II.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Care
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Heart failure significantly impacts patients' quality of life and mental well-being.
- Palliative care (PC) aims to improve quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
- The effectiveness of PC across different stages of heart failure (NYHA classes II, III, IV) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of palliative care on patients with varying degrees of heart failure, specifically NYHA class II, III, and IV.
- To assess changes in quality of life and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) following palliative care intervention.
Main Methods:
- Patients were categorized into NYHA class II, III, and IV groups.
- Quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire - KCCQ) and psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HADS) were measured before and 3 months after PC.
- Outcomes were compared between PC intervention and control groups.
Main Results:
- Palliative care significantly improved KCCQ, HADS-depression, and HADS-anxiety scores in NYHA class IV patients (P < 0.05).
- Significant improvements in HADS-depression and HADS-anxiety scores were observed in NYHA class III patients (P < 0.05), with a trend towards KCCQ improvement.
- No significant effects of PC were found on KCCQ, HADS-depression, or HADS-anxiety scores in NYHA class II patients.
Conclusions:
- Palliative care effectively reduces anxiety and depression in patients with NYHA class III and IV heart failure.
- Palliative care significantly enhances the quality of life for patients with NYHA class IV heart failure.
- Palliative care does not demonstrate significant benefits for patients with NYHA class II heart failure regarding the assessed outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
19
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...
19
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
11
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
11
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
1.6K
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...
1.6K
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
89
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,...
89
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
16
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.
16
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
14
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...
14