Multidisciplinary Management and the Role of Heart Failure Nurses in the Recognition and Treatment of Cardiac

Sarah Gast1, Cate Enstrom2, Austin Roberts3

  • 1Sarah Gast, DNP, AGACNP, FNP, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit APP, TriStar Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Insights

Early recognition of cardiac amyloidosis by heart failure nurses is vital for timely intervention. Nurses play a key role in connecting patients to specialized care, improving outcomes for this life-limiting heart failure type.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Nursing

Background:

  • Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious condition with a poor prognosis if not diagnosed and treated early.
  • Heart failure due to amyloidosis has high mortality rates, underscoring the need for prompt intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current American College of Cardiology guidelines on the multidisciplinary management of cardiac amyloidosis.
  • To emphasize the critical role of nurses in the early identification and differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis from other heart failure conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent American College of Cardiology guidelines.
  • Analysis of the role of nurses in the diagnostic and management pathway.

Main Results:

  • Nurses, including nurse navigators, are instrumental in connecting patients to specialized amyloidosis centers and advanced treatments.
  • Coordination of appointments, therapies, genetic testing, insurance, and patient education by nurses improves care delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and referral to specialized centers are crucial for managing cardiac amyloidosis.
  • Heart failure nurses facilitate patient evaluation, referrals, and care coordination, thereby improving treatment and reducing outcome disparities.
Abstract

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