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Background: The use of continuous intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) as palliative therapy in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) has increased over the past decade. CIIS improves New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class but does not impact survival. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patients' understanding of the therapeutic intent of CIIS, prognostic awareness, and quality of life with CIIS. Design: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study of patients with advanced HF receiving CIIS as palliative therapy between 2020 and 2022. Settings/Subjects: An investigator-developed survey instrument was administered to outpatients on CIIS in the United States via telephone. Measurements: Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Forty-eight patients, 63% male, 81% African American/Black, with a mean age of 68.9 (standard deviation 12.3) years, participated in this study. The majority of patients responded that they expected CIIS to make them feel better (79%) and increase longevity (75%), but few expected that CIIS would cure their HF (19%). Patients described their overall quality of life on CIIS as not better/worse (19%), somewhat better (46%), and significantly better (35%) and reported high treatment satisfaction (87% were at least somewhat satisfied). Conclusions: In this study, patients report improved quality of life with CIIS as palliative therapy. Patients on CIIS as palliative therapy expected increased survival on CIIS, which is incongruent with current evidence. Further studies on how we can improve care processes so that patients have accurate prognostic and disease-state awareness, and receive goal concordant care, are warranted.

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Background: Heart failure is a troublesome condition with high healthcare utilization and cost. Most individuals with heart failure experience multiple symptoms including breathlessness, pain, depression, and anxiety., Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the literature describing the use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale to assess the burden of symptoms and the impact of symptoms on heart failure outcomes including quality of life and functional outcomes., Methods: The search engines PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched from January 2001 to March 2020. A review of literature was undertaken using key terms "heart failure," "CHF," "cardiac failure," "heart decompensation," "myocardial failure," "Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale". Hand searching of articles was also undertaken., Results: The search resulted in 33 relevant articles, which were imported into Rayyan, a Web-based systematic review software program. We present synthesis of results of studies (1) using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale as an assessment of symptom burden and (2) evaluating the impact of symptom burden on quality of life and functional status., Conclusion: This review highlighted the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale as a predictive instrument to identify symptom burden, symptom clusters, and symptom changes for patients living with heart failure. The clinical use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale may identify treatment priorities, promote self-management, inform the treatment plan, and advance effective therapeutic adjustments. The symptom burden in heart failure is high, and improving the symptom experience is an important focus of future healthcare interventions. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale has utility in heart failure management due to psychometric properties and ease of administration., Clinical Implications: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale may be useful in measuring patient-reported symptom burden in patients with heart failure in the clinical setting because it correlates well with other heart failure measures on quality of life and functional outcomes and provides useful information on symptom burden., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The global prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing. Advancements in guideline-directed medical and device therapy have resulted in improved survival. Thus, there are more patients living – and living longer – with advanced HF. Only a small proportion of these patients are deemed appropriate for advanced surgical intervention (mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation), and even if offered, some may decline such interventions if not aligned with their overall goals and values. Therefore, a growing number of patients with advanced HF receive chronic intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) for palliation of symptoms. Despite increased use, clinical evidence supporting use of palliative inotropes remains limited. However, available data suggest improvements in functional class, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) indicators, symptom burden, hemodynamic parameters, and possibly rehospitalization. While initial concerns regarding increased mortality have been assuaged in the modern era of guideline-directed medical therapy, palliative inotropes are certainly not without burden. Risks of infection and medication-related adverse effects, need for routine laboratory monitoring, frequent dressing changes, and presence of a reliable caregiver must be carefully considered prior to initiation. This review addresses pharmacology, guideline recommendations, benefits and burdens, considerations related to hospice and end-of-life care, and future directions of CIIS in advanced HF care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart disease (HD) is a primary cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. While there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the contribution of social determinants of health (SDoH) to HD outcomes, the impact of combined or individual SDoH on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with HD is not well understood. To analyze the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) to explore the relationship of SDoH with HRQoL, advance care planning, and treatment preferences in Medicare beneficiaries with HD. The study design was a secondary data analysis using latent class analysis (LCA) and multivariable analysis of NHATS participants with HD, Round 8, that included End of Life Plans and Care questions. 1202 participants, median age 81 years, 57% female, 70% non-Hispanic White, 20% non-Hispanic Black, 10% Other. LCA identified two SDoH risk profiles (low/high), using 12 measures within the NHATS Economic and Social Consequences key concept area. The high-risk SDoH profile participants were more likely to have fair/poor HRQoL, and identify as female, non-White (P < 0.0001); and less likely to have completed advance care planning (P < 0.0001). High-risk SDoH participants were more likely to want life-prolonging treatments (P < 0.0001), however, this association was not significant after adjusting for age, sex, and race (P = 0.344). Higher risk SDoH profiles are associated with reduced HRQoL, reduced advance care planning completion, female sex, and non-White race in a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. These findings provide opportunities to improve SDoH-related care practices in older patients with HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]