[Palliative care in the management of heart failure].

Heart failure is an increasingly prevalent, often progressive condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. In end-stage heart failure a strategy is urgently needed to ensure a truly progressive move away from invasive treatment toward supportive terminal care. The basic principles of palliative care--good communication and close attention to symptom control--should be adopted to improve the quality of life of heart failure patients. On the basis of a case study, the need of palliative care in the management of heart failure will be demonstrated.