Non-compliance and knowledge of prescribed medication in elderly patients with heart failure

AIMS: To determine the extent of non-compliance to prescribed medication in elderly patients with heart failure and to determine to what extent patients recall information given regarding their medication. METHODS AND RESULTS: Non-compliance and knowledge of prescribed medication was studied in 22 elderly heart failure patients [mean age 79 +/- 6 (range 70-97); 14 (64%) male], using in-depth interviews performed 30 days after having been prescribed medication. All patients received standardised verbal and written information regarding their medication. Only 12 (55%) patients could correctly name what medication had been prescribed, 11 (50%) were unable to state the prescribed doses and 14 (64%) could not account for when the medication was to be taken, i.e. at what time of day and when in relation to meals the medication was to be taken. In the overall assessment six (27%) patients were found non-compliant and 16 (73%) patients were considered as possibly being compliant with their prescribed medication. CONCLUSIONS: Non-compliance was common in elderly heart failure patients, as were shortcomings in patients knowledge regarding prescribed medication, despite efforts to give adequate information. There exists a need for alternative strategies to improve compliance in these patients.     

Pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high morbidity and mortality in the Western World. Our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapy has improved dramatically during the last 20 years. Pharmacological treatment, as it stands today, is a combination of preventive and symptomatic strategies. The mainstay life-saving drugs are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers. Additional benefits are obtained when angiotensin-receptor blockers or aldosterone antagonists are added. Digitalis and/or diuretics are useful for symptom reduction. In addition, combination therapy with hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate is recommended in African Americans.     

Cancer diagnosis in patients with heart failure: epidemiology,clinical implications and gaps in knowledge

Cancer and heart failure (HF) are common medical conditions with a steadily rising prevalence in industrialized countries, particularly in the elderly, and they both potentially carry a poor prognosis. A new diagnosis of malignancy in subjects with pre‐existing HF is not infrequent, and challenges HF specialists as well as oncologists with complex questions relating to both HF and cancer management. An increased incidence of cancer in patients with established HF has also been suggested. This review paper summarizes the epidemiology and the prognostic implications of cancer occurrence in HF, the impact of pre‐existing HF on cancer treatment decisions and the impact of cancer on HF therapeutic options, while providing some practical suggestions regarding patient care and highlighting gaps in knowledge.     

Current concept in the diagnosis,treatment and rehabilitation of patients with congestive heart failure

Heart failure(HF) is a major public health problem with a prevalence of 1%-2% in developed countries. The underlying pathophysiology of HF is complex and as a clinical syndrome is characterized by various symptoms and signs. HF is classified according to left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and falls into three groups: LVEF ≥ 50%-HF with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF), LVEF 40%-HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF), LVEF 40%-49%-HF with mid-range ejection fraction. Diagnosing HF is primarily a clinical approach and it is based on anamnesis, physical examination, echocardiogram, radiological findings of the heart and lungs and laboratory tests, including a specific markers of HF-brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as well as other diagnostic tests in order to elucidate possible etiologies. Updated diagnostic algorithms for HFpEF have been recommended(H2 FPEF, HFA-PEFF). New therapeutic options improve clinical outcomes as well as functional status in patients with HFrEF(e.g., sodium-glucose cotransporter-2-SGLT2 inhibitors) and such progress in treatment of HFrEF patients resulted in new working definition of the term "HF with recovered left ventricular ejection fraction". In line with rapid development of HF treatment, cardiac rehabilitation becomes an increasingly important part of overall approach to patients with chronic HF for it has been proven that exercise training can relieve symptoms, improve exercise capacity and quality of life as well as reduce disability and hospitalization rates. We gave an overview of latest insights in HF diagnosis and treatment with special emphasize on the important role of cardiac rehabilitation in such patients.     

Compliance in heart failure patients: the importance of knowledge and beliefs.

AIMS: Non-compliance in patients with heart failure (HF) contributes to worsening HF symptoms and may lead to hospitalization. Several smaller studies have examined compliance in HF, but all were limited as they only studied either the individual components of compliance and its related factors or several aspects of compliance without studying the related factors. The aims of this study were to examine all dimensions of compliance and its related factors in one HF population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were collected in a cohort of 501 HF patients. Clinical and demographic data were assessed and patients completed questionnaires on compliance, beliefs, knowledge, and self-care behaviour. Overall compliance was 72% in this older HF population. Compliance with medication and appointment keeping was high (>90%). In contrast, compliance with diet (83%), fluid restriction (73%), exercise (39%), and weighing (35%) was markedly lower. Compliance was related to knowledge (OR=5.67; CI 2.87-11.19), beliefs (OR=1.78; CI 1.18-2.69), and depressive symptoms (OR=0.53; CI 0.35-0.78). CONCLUSION: Although some aspects of compliance had an acceptable level, compliance with weighing and exercise were low. In order to improve compliance, an increase of knowledge and a change of patient's beliefs by education and counselling are recommended. Extra attention should be paid to patients with depressive symptoms.     

Use of nonpharmacologic treatment approaches in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: Patient education has been shown to beneficially impact the utilization of medical resources and certain outcomes in patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF). Little data are, however, available about the implementation of patient education and counseling of patients with HF in the community setting. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the extent of health care provider recommendations for the monitoring or modification of lifestyle approaches or dietary factors in patients with new onset HF discharged from all greater Worcester (MA) hospitals in 2000. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 2411 metropolitan Worcester residents hospitalized at all 11 area medical centers with acute HF. Based on the review of medical records, we examined provider recommendations for the monitoring or modification of 5 lifestyle factors including salt restriction, dietary changes, increased physical activity, limitation of fluids, and daily monitoring of weight in hospital survivors of HF. RESULTS: Among all patients, approximately 22% were recommended to change either no or 1 lifestyle related factor, 2 in every 5 patients received recommendations to alter any 2 lifestyle characteristics, while 1 in 6 were counseled about the importance of monitoring or modifying 4 or more lifestyle or dietary factors. Physician counseling was associated with several demographic and clinical factors. Documentation of none or few patient education recommendations was also associated with the failure to receive multiple effective medical therapies for HF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our community-wide investigation suggest that considerable opportunity remains for the more effective hospital counseling of patients with acute HF.     

卡维地洛治疗老年心力衰竭患者的耐受性研究

目的评估卡维地洛治疗老年心力衰竭患者的耐受性。方法52例稳定性老年(>70岁)心力衰竭患者接受卡维地洛递增剂量治疗。治疗前后分别对血压、心率,心脏射血分数和纽约心脏病学协会(NYHA)分级进行检测,评判疗效和安全性。结果卡维地洛治疗后,患者收缩压从133.3mmHg降为120.8mmHg,舒张压从78.0mmHg降为70.4mmHg,治疗前后比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);心率从81.9次/min下降为70.7次/min(P<0.01),射血分数从39.8%上升为43.9%(P<0.05),NYHA分级下降;平均剂量为36.8mg/d,其中55.8%的患者可以耐受卡维地洛50mg/d,除2例退出,96.1%的老年患者心力衰竭可坚持卡维地洛治疗。结论老年心力衰竭患者基本可以耐受卡维地洛治疗。     

Acute heart failure in the emergency department: short and long-term outcomes of elderly patients with heart failure

AIMS: Previous epidemiologic studies of acute heart failure (AHF) have involved patients admitted to hospital and fail to account for that unknown proportion discharged directly from the emergency department (ED). We examined discharge rates, and whether outcomes, including mortality, differed based on admission status in AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This population-based cohort included all patients > or =65 years presenting to an Alberta ED with HF (ICD9-CM 428.x; 1998 to 2001). Patients were either not admitted (Not-ADM) or directly admitted to hospital (ADM) and followed for one-year. Of 10,415 AHF patients evaluated in the ED, 35% were Not-ADM whereas 65% were ADM. Thirty days after ED presentation the rates of death, re-ED or initial/re-hospitalisation were 3.3%, 44% and 19% for Not-ADM, and 10.9%, 33% and 21% for the ADM patients, respectively (all p<0.0001). At one-year, the rates of death, re-ED or initial/re-hospitalisation were 20%, 82% and 58% for Not-ADM, and 34%, 72% and 60% for ADM, respectively (all p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: One third of AHF patients were not immediately admitted after an ED visit but most present again to the ED, two-thirds were hospitalised and 20% died within the first year. Our findings provide new impetus to undertake risk assessment and treatment strategies in the ED for AHF.     

坎地沙坦对心力衰竭患者脑钠素及心功能的影响

目的探讨坎地沙坦治疗心力衰竭后脑钠素及心功能的变化。方法采取自身前后对照的方法,对42例心力衰竭患者在常规治疗基础上加用坎地沙坦,疗程10～15d。分别于给药前及给药后10～15d测定脑钠素的浓度和左室舒张末期容积(LVEDV)及左室射血分数(EF)、短轴缩短分数(FS)、二尖瓣血流早期最大流速(VE)、二尖瓣血流心房收缩期最大流速(VA)和VE/VA。结果加用坎地沙坦后脑钠素的浓度明显降低,EF、FS有所提高,LVEDV、VE、VA、VE/VA变化不大。结论脑钠素是反映心力衰竭严重程度、判断疗效的敏感指标。坎地沙坦能显著降低脑钠素水平,改善心功能,在心力衰竭的治疗中起着重要作用。     

卡维地洛治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的临床观察

目的：探讨卡维地洛疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的有效性及安全性。方法：选择40例缺血性心肌病患者，随机分为卡维地洛治疗组和对照组，治疗12个月。治疗前、后分别应用超声心动图测量左室射血分数（LVEF）左室收缩末直经（LVESd）和左室舒张末直径（LVEDd）。结果：所有病例治疗后，LVEF升高，LVESd、LVEDd降低，与治疗前相比差异显著（P〈0．01）。与对照组相比，卡维地洛治疗组治疗后各参数明显改善，差异显著（P〈0．05）。结论：卡维地洛治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭安全有效。     

Nurse-led heart failure clinics improve survival and self-care behaviour in patients with heart failure: results from a prospective, randomised trial.

AIM: The aim of this trial was to prospectively evaluate the effect of follow-up at a nurse-led heart failure clinic on mortality, morbidity and self-care behaviour for patients hospitalised due to heart failure for 12 months after discharge. METHODS: A total of 106 patients were randomly assigned to either follow-up at a nurse-led heart failure clinic or to usual care. The nurse-led heart failure clinic was staffed by specially educated and experienced cardiac nurses, delegated the responsibility for making protocol-led changes in medications. The first follow-up visit was 2-3 weeks after discharge. During the visit the nurse evaluated the heart failure status and the treatment, gave education about heart failure and social support to the patient and his family. RESULTS: There were fewer patients with events (death or admission) after 12 months in the intervention group compared to the control group (29 vs 40, p=0.03) and fewer deaths after 12 months (7 vs 20, p=0.005). The intervention group had fewer admissions (33 vs 56, p=0.047) and days in hospital (350 vs 592, p=0.045) during the first 3 months. After 12 months the intervention was associated with a 55% decrease in admissions/patient/month (0.18 vs 0.40, p=0.06) and fewer days in hospital/patient/month (1.4 vs 3.9, p=0.02). The intervention group had significantly higher self-care scores at 3 and 12 months compared to the control group (p=0.02 and p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Follow up after hospitalisation at a nurse-led heart failure clinic can improve survival and self-care behaviour in patients with heart failure as well as reduce the number of events, readmissions and days in hospital.     

卡维地洛治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床研究

目的:探讨卡维地洛对充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者心功能的影响。方法:45例CHF患者被随机分成2组.对照组(B组)用利尿剂、强心甙、硝酸酯类等药进行治疗,治疗组(A组)在B组治疗基础上加用卡维地洛,起始剂量3.125mg,2次/d,每2周加量1倍,至最大剂量25mg,2次/d。结果:治疗16周后,两组的心功能分级均有明显改善.与对照组比较,治疗组LVEF增加更加显著(P<0.05)。结论:卡维地洛对CHF有较好的疗效。     

腹膜透析患者充血性心力衰竭的发生与治疗

目的 :探讨腹膜透析 (PD)患者充血性心力衰竭 (CHF)发生的原因及治疗。方法 :选择我院 2 0 0 2年发生CHF的PD患者 10例 ,收集患者从透析开始至发生CHF时的尿量 (UV)和超滤量 (UFV)变化 ,并通过严格限制患者水盐摄入控制CHF ,比较CHF发生时及限制水盐摄入 3个月后体重 (BW )、UV、UFV、2 4h出液量的变化。结果 :发生CHF的PD患者UV和UFV随透析时间的延长而逐渐减少。严格限制水盐摄入 3个月后BW由( 5 8.6 1± 14 .6 2 )kg下降至 ( 5 5 .78± 14 .0 4 )kg( P <0 .0 1) ,CHF的症状改善 ,高渗液体的用量减少。结论 :容量超负荷是PD患者发生CHF的重要原因 ,严格限制水盐摄入是防止PD患者发生CHF简便而有效的措施