Jana Pilkey1, Allison Pedersen2, James W Tam3, Amrit Malik3, Jonathan Wong1. 1. 1 Department of Family Medicine, Section of Palliative Medicine, University of Manitoba, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada. 2. 2 Palliative Care Program, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg, Canada. 3. 3 Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: : Dyspnea is distressing in palliative patients with end-stage heart failure and many are hospitalized to optimize this symptom. We hoped to conduct a pilot study to determine whether the administration of intranasal fentanyl would decrease activity-induced dyspnea in this patient population. METHODS: : Patients performed two 6-minute walk tests with and without the administration of 50 μg of intranasal fentanyl. Vital signs were recorded before and after each walk, as were participant reported dyspnea and adverse events scores. RESULTS: : Twenty-four patients were screened, 13 were deemed eligible, and 6 completed the study. Dyspnea scores changed from a mean of 6.00 immediately after the walk without fentanyl to a mean of 3.83 after the walk with fentanyl ( P = .048). Mean respiratory rate decreased from 21.0 to 18.7 ( P = .034) breaths per minute and was considered a favorable outcome by the participants. Distance walked did not significantly increase with the fentanyl pretreatment (136.0-144.2 m; P = .283), although the participants reported feeling better while walking a similar distance. CONCLUSIONS: : In this pilot study, the preadministration of intranasal fentanyl prior to activity in palliative, end-stage hospitalized heart failure patients, safely reduced tachypnea, and the feeling of shortness of breath. This approach may help palliate advanced heart failure patients by alleviating symptoms brought on by exertional activities.
BACKGROUND: : Dyspnea is distressing in palliative patients with end-stage heart failure and many are hospitalized to optimize this symptom. We hoped to conduct a pilot study to determine whether the administration of intranasal fentanyl would decrease activity-induced dyspnea in this patient population. METHODS: : Patients performed two 6-minute walk tests with and without the administration of 50 μg of intranasal fentanyl. Vital signs were recorded before and after each walk, as were participant reported dyspnea and adverse events scores. RESULTS: : Twenty-four patients were screened, 13 were deemed eligible, and 6 completed the study. Dyspnea scores changed from a mean of 6.00 immediately after the walk without fentanyl to a mean of 3.83 after the walk with fentanyl ( P = .048). Mean respiratory rate decreased from 21.0 to 18.7 ( P = .034) breaths per minute and was considered a favorable outcome by the participants. Distance walked did not significantly increase with the fentanyl pretreatment (136.0-144.2 m; P = .283), although the participants reported feeling better while walking a similar distance. CONCLUSIONS: : In this pilot study, the preadministration of intranasal fentanyl prior to activity in palliative, end-stage hospitalized heart failurepatients, safely reduced tachypnea, and the feeling of shortness of breath. This approach may help palliate advanced heart failurepatients by alleviating symptoms brought on by exertional activities.
Authors: Daisy J A Janssen; Marieke H J van den Beuken-van Everdingen; Cornelia A Verberkt; Jacques P H M Creemers; Emiel F M Wouters Journal: Breathe (Sheff) Date: 2019-09