Roman Orzechowski1, André Luiz Galvão2, Thaise da Silva Nunes1, Luciana Silveira Campos1,3. 1. Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Serviço de Dor e Cuidados Paliativos, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 2. Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Serviço de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. 3. Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for palliative care in patients with advanced Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) hospitalized in a cardiology ward. METHOD: Application of the World Health Organization Palliative Needs tool (NECPAL) with the assistant physician, patient and/or caregiver for evaluation of indication of Palliative Care (PC). RESULTS: 82 patients with a diagnosis of class III/IV Heart Failure or ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% in echocardiography of the last 12 months were included: Mean age 68 ± 20 years, 51 male patients and 31 female patients. Forty-three patients (52.4%) were married or in consensual union and ten (12%) lived alone. The death of 46 patients (56.1%) in the subsequent 12 months would not surprise their physician, and forty-five patients (55%) had palliative care indication according to the NECPAL. CONCLUSION: About half of patients hospitalized for class III/IV Heart Failure would have an indication of Palliative Care for the relief of suffering caused by the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for palliative care in patients with advanced Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) hospitalized in a cardiology ward. METHOD: Application of the World Health Organization Palliative Needs tool (NECPAL) with the assistant physician, patient and/or caregiver for evaluation of indication of Palliative Care (PC). RESULTS: 82 patients with a diagnosis of class III/IV Heart Failure or ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% in echocardiography of the last 12 months were included: Mean age 68 ± 20 years, 51 male patients and 31 female patients. Forty-three patients (52.4%) were married or in consensual union and ten (12%) lived alone. The death of 46 patients (56.1%) in the subsequent 12 months would not surprise their physician, and forty-five patients (55%) had palliative care indication according to the NECPAL. CONCLUSION: About half of patients hospitalized for class III/IV Heart Failure would have an indication of Palliative Care for the relief of suffering caused by the disease.
Authors: Stephanie Mc Ament; Inge Me Couwenberg; Josiane Jj Boyne; Jos Kleijnen; Henri Ejh Stoffers; Marieke Hj van den Beuken; Yvonne Engels; Louise Bellersen; Daisy Ja Janssen Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2020-10-15 Impact factor: 4.762