Palliative care need in patients with advanced heart failure hospitalized in a tertiary hospital

Authors

  • Roman Orzechowski Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Serviço de Dor e Cuidados Paliativos
  • André Luiz Galvão Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Serviço de Cardiologia
  • Thaise da Silva Nunes Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Serviço de Dor e Cuidados Paliativos
  • Luciana Silveira Campos Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Pública

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018015403413

Keywords:

Heart Failure, Palliative Care, Prognosis, Patient Care

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.

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Published

2019-03-12

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Orzechowski, R., Galvão, A. L., Nunes, T. da S., & Campos, L. S. (2019). Palliative care need in patients with advanced heart failure hospitalized in a tertiary hospital. Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da USP, 53, e03413. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018015403413