Search

AimsCaregivers of persons living with ventricular assist devices (VADs) are integrally involved in both medical and non-medical care. We sought to understand tasks caregivers perform after surgical recovery, ways the home is adapted for those tasks, and presence of home safety hazards.Methods and resultsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with persons living with a VAD and their caregivers. Pictures were taken of areas in the home where: (i) caregiving activities occurred, (ii) VAD or medical supplies were kept, and (iii) home adaptations were made for VAD care. Pictures were described in written detail and analysed. A qualitative descriptive approach was used for analysis. The sample consisted of 10 dyads, with mostly spousal relationships (60%) between male patients (60%) and female caregivers (80%). Three themes were identified: (i) Evolution of Caregiving and Support: Patients gain independence, but caregivers are still needed, (ii) Adapting the Home Environment: Changes are focused on functional needs, and (iii) Hidden Dangers: Illumination of safety concerns by photographs. Assistance with bathing, driveline care, and medication management were common caregiving tasks. Most home adaptations occurred in the bathroom and bedroom including sleeping recliners, shower chairs, removable shower heads, and hanging hooks to hold VAD equipment. Safety hazards included minimal space for safe ambulation, infection risk, and home-made adaptations to the environment.ConclusionsThese findings describe key home caregiving tasks, home adaptations, and safety concerns that require further education and support. Utilizing pictures may be a feasible method for assessing VAD teaching, caregiving needs, and identifying potential risks.

Aims Physical symptoms impact patients with heart failure (HF) despite treatment advancements; however, our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying HF symptoms remains limited, including sex differences therein. The objective of this study was to quantify associations between sympathetic markers [norepinephrine (NE) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG)] and physical symptoms in patients with HF and to explore sex differences in these associations. Methods and results We performed a secondary analysis of combined data from two studies: outpatients with HF (n = 111), and patients prior to left ventricular assist device implantation (n = 38). Physical symptoms were measured with the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale (HFSPS) dyspnoea and early/subtle symptom subscales and the Functional Assessment in Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) to capture dyspnoea, early symptoms of decompensation, and fatigue. Norepinephrine and DHPG were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Multivariate linear regression was used to quantify associations between symptoms and sympathetic markers. The sample (n = 149) was 60.8 ± 15.7 years, 41% women, and 71% non-ischaemic aetiology. Increased plasma NE and NE:DHPG ratio were associated with worse FACIT-F scores (P = 0.043 and P = 0.013, respectively). Increased plasma NE:DHPG ratio was associated with worse HFSPS early/subtle symptoms (P = 0.025). In sex-stratified analyses, increased NE:DHPG ratio was associated with worse FACIT-F scores (P = 0.011) and HFSPS early/subtle scores (P = 0.022) among women but not men. Conclusion In patients with HF, sympathetic dysfunction is associated with worse fatigue and early/subtle physical symptoms with associations stronger in women than men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Caregivers of persons living with ventricular assist devices (VADs) are integrally involved in both medical and non-medical care. We sought to understand tasks caregivers perform after surgical recovery, ways the home is adapted for those tasks, and presence of home safety hazards. Methods and results We conducted semi-structured interviews with persons living with a VAD and their caregivers. Pictures were taken of areas in the home where: (i) caregiving activities occurred, (ii) VAD or medical supplies were kept, and (iii) home adaptations were made for VAD care. Pictures were described in written detail and analysed. A qualitative descriptive approach was used for analysis. The sample consisted of 10 dyads, with mostly spousal relationships (60%) between male patients (60%) and female caregivers (80%). Three themes were identified: (i) Evolution of Caregiving and Support: Patients gain independence, but caregivers are still needed, (ii) Adapting the Home Environment: Changes are focused on functional needs, and (iii) Hidden Dangers: Illumination of safety concerns by photographs. Assistance with bathing, driveline care, and medication management were common caregiving tasks. Most home adaptations occurred in the bathroom and bedroom including sleeping recliners, shower chairs, removable shower heads, and hanging hooks to hold VAD equipment. Safety hazards included minimal space for safe ambulation, infection risk, and home-made adaptations to the environment. Conclusions These findings describe key home caregiving tasks, home adaptations, and safety concerns that require further education and support. Utilizing pictures may be a feasible method for assessing VAD teaching, caregiving needs, and identifying potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outcomes: 1. Describe prevalent palliative care needs of physically frail persons with heart failure (HF) 2. Compare palliative care needs of robust, pre-frail, and frail community-dwelling persons with HF Physical frailty is emerging as a potential "trigger" for palliative care (PC) consultation, but the PC needs of physically frail persons with heart failure (HF) in the outpatient setting have not been well described. This study describes the PC needs of community-dwelling, physically frail persons with HF. We included persons with HF >50 years old who experienced >1 hospitalization in the prior year and excluded those with moderate/severe cognitive impairment, were enrolled in hospice or were non-English speaking. Measures included the FRAIL scale (0–5: 0 = robust, 1–2 = pre-frail, 3–5 = frail) and the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (17 items, score 0–68; higher score = higher PC needs). Multiple linear regression tested the association between PC needs and frailty group. Participants (N=292) had a mean age of 68 (range 50–92) were majority male (63%) and White (68%), and averaged two hospitalizations annually. Most were physically frail (44%) or pre-frail (41%). Mean palliative care needs score was 19.7 (range 0–58). Participants reported 5.86 (SD 4.28) PC needs affecting them moderately, severely, or overwhelmingly in the last week. Patient-perceived family/friend anxiety (57.7%) and weakness/lack of energy (57.7%) were the most prevalent needs. Frail participants had higher mean PC needs scores (26) than pre-frail (16, p< 0.001) or robust participants (11, p< 0.001). Frail participants experienced an average of 8.32 (SD 3.72) moderate/severe/overwhelming needs compared to prefrail (4.56, SD 3.77) and robust (2.39, SD 2.91) participants (p< 0.001). Frail participants reported higher prevalence of weakness/lack of energy (83.1%) and family/friend anxiety (69.2%) than pre-frail (48%, 54%) or robust (13%, 35%) participants (p< 0.001). Physically frail people with HF have higher unmet PC needs than those who are pre-frail and robust. Implementing PC needs and frailty assessments may help identify vulnerable patients with unmet needs requiring further assessment and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: none declared.