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Palliative Care in Advanced Heart Failure
Giada Colombo1, Luca Fazzini2, Enrico Perna1
1De Gasperis Cardio Center and Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Current Heart Failure Reports
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Integrating palliative care (PC) early in advanced heart failure (HF) improves quality of life and reduces hospital readmissions. A multidisciplinary approach optimizes symptom control and patient-centered care for end-stage HF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Medicine
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Advanced heart failure (HF) presents significant symptom burden, reduced quality of life (QoL), and frequent hospitalizations.
- Improving survival in HF leads to a growing population with end-stage disease, often ineligible for transplantation or mechanical support.
- This highlights the need for effective management strategies beyond traditional HF therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on integrating palliative care (PC) into advanced heart failure (HF) management.
- To identify optimal indications and timing for PC referral in advanced HF.
- To explore the role of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing patient care.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current literature on PC in advanced HF.
- Analysis of studies focusing on referral criteria, timing, and multidisciplinary care models.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding patient outcomes and management strategies.
Main Results:
- Early PC integration in HF is associated with decreased hospital readmissions and improved QoL.
- Screening tools, patient-reported outcomes, and frailty assessments aid in identifying needs and appropriate referrals.
- Multidisciplinary PC models improve symptom control, care coordination, and advance care planning.
Conclusions:
- Palliative care is essential for advanced HF management and should be integrated early.
- A structured, multidisciplinary approach ensures holistic care, aligning treatment with patient preferences.
- HF clinicians should routinely adopt these integrated care models to improve patient outcomes.
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