Abstract 13936: Practitioners’ Inaccuracy in Decision-making With Assessing NYHA Functional Class of Patients With Heart Failure

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn A Prasun ◽  
Kelly D Stamp ◽  
Thomas P McCoy ◽  
Lisa Rathman

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem and timely evidence-based guideline directed treatment is essential to ensure optimal patient outcomes. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class of HF patients is a clinically important assessment as it relates to treatment recommendations. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine HF providers’ decision making and ability to correctly assign NYHA functional class. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study using survey methods with 244 physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants practicing in the United States in acute and ambulatory care settings that treat adult patients with HF was conducted. Providers completed 8 validated clinical vignettes focused on decision making that related to the four NYHA functional classes. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Participants were predominately female (83%), Caucasian (87%) and were on average 51 years of age (SD=11). Sixty-five percent were nurse practitioners and 18% physicians, most were certified in HF (59%) and on average worked with HF patients for 15.1 years (SD=9.6). Providers reported assigning NYHA class to 83% of their patients, with 39% reporting it was useful. Accurate identification of NYHA Class I was 78.7%, for Class II 57.4%, for Class III 59.8% and for Class IV 36.9%. Correct NYHA class scores were associated with providers who typically reported assigning HF stage (p<0.001), increased number of HF patients seen per week (p=0.024) and MD/DO providers relative to other advanced practice providers (p=0.021). Correct NYHA class scores were not associated with years working in a healthcare role, years working in HF, or years of certification adjusting for other provider and practice characteristics. Conclusions: Advanced practice providers who saw fewer HF patients had greater difficulty with accurately assigning NYHA Functional Class. When patients are incorrectly classed, they may not be recommended for evidence-based therapies at the optimal time, thus decreasing patient outcomes. Future research should focus on ways to improve accuracy in assigning NYHA Functional Class to improve patient outcomes.

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantira Chiaranai ◽  
Jeanne Salyer

Purpose: Although it is well-known that self-care (SC) reduces the frequency of hospital admissions and exacerbations, and enhances quality of life (QOL) in heart failure patients, little is known about SC in this population. The study purpose was to examine relationships among selected individual characteristics (demographics, severity of illness, co-morbidities, and social support), SC strategies, and QOL using Reigel’s Model of Self Care in Patients with Heart Failure as the guiding framework. Method: 114 subjects were recruited to participate in this descriptive correlational study. SC was measured using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index , which measures self-care maintenance (SC-Mt), self-care management (SC-Mn), and self-care self-confidence (SC-Sc). QOL was measured using a disease-specific instrument, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire , and a generic instrument, the Short-Form Health Survey characterizing physical and mental-emotional functioning. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of QOL. Findings: 98 subjects (age = 56.7 years; 53.8% male; 49.5% Caucasian) completed and returned mailed questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that better disease-specific QOL was predicted by being less likely to try SC-Mn strategies (β = .325; p = 0.003), better SC-Sc (β = −.251; p = 0.012), better NYHA functional class (β = .246; p = 0.008), and less co-morbidity (β = .236; p = 0.014) (R 2 = .334; F = 7.269, p = 0.000). Better generic QOL (physical functioning) was predicted by better NYHA functional class (β = −.309; p = 0.001), better SC-Mt (β = .205; p = 0.037), better SC-Sc (β = .296; p = 0.003), and being less likely to try SC-Mn strategies (β = −.165; p = 0.000) (R 2 = .361; F = 9.602, p = 0.000). Better generic QOL (mental-emotional functioning) was predicted by better NYHA functional class (β = −.229; p = 0.024), and being men (β = −.204; p = .047) (R 2 = .277; F = 4.548, p = 0.000). Discussion: Findings suggest that better QOL is influenced by gender (male), better NYHA functional class, less co-morbidity, and better use of SC strategies. Exploring patient decision-making can assist nurses in identifying how to improve decision-making performance and enhance QOL.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Vizzardi ◽  
S. Nodari ◽  
C. Fiorina ◽  
M. Metra ◽  
L. Dei Cas

Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine is associated with increased risk of thrombotic and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Several studies have demonstrated that hyperhomocysteinemia is an indipendent risk factor for vascular disease and is associated to heart failure. However there are no data regarding the association between homocysteine and various objective as well as subjective measures of heart failure. We hypothesized that plasma homocysteine is associated with clinical and echocardiographic signs of heart failure. On this ground we have analysed levels of homocysteine in patients with heart failure and possible correlation between these levels and clinical-functional pattern (NYHA class and ejection fraction). Methods: Plasma homocysteine levels were determined in 123 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (59 males, 64 females, mean age 67±10 years, mean EF 31±11% and mean NYHA 2.4±0.9, 47 idiopatic and 76 postischemic cardiomyopathy) and 85 healthy control subjects (homogeneus group for sex and age). Patients with chronic renal failure, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency or factors affecting homocysteine plasma levels were escluded from this study. Homocysteine levels were determined in coded plasma samples by immunoenzimatic methods. Results: Patients with heart failure had a higher homocysteine level (mcg/L) than control subjects (21.72±10.28 vs 12.9±6.86, p&lt;0,001) both postischemic (20.89±9.6 vs 12.9±6.86, p&lt;0,001) and idiopatic cardiomiopathy (23.0±11.2 vs 12.9±6.86, p&lt;0,001). A significant correlation was observed between homocysteine and NYHA functional class (p&lt;0,001), age (p&lt;0,001), creatinine (p&lt;0,001), colesterol (p&lt;0,05) while no correlations were observed with hemodynamic (HR, BP), functional (ejection fraction) and other metabolic parameters (triglycerides). Serum homocysteine was lowest in control and increased with increasing NYHA class. In idiopatic cardiomiopathy the correlation between homocysteine and NYHA functional class, creatinine (p&lt;0,001), fibrinogen (p&lt;0,05) was confirmed; in postischemic cardiomiopathy a significant correlation with creatinine and NYHA class (p&lt;0,001) and with triglycerides (p&lt;0,05) was also found. Conclusion: Plasma homocysteine was directly related to NYHA class. This observation may underline the strong relations of plasma homocysteine to congestive heart failure. Further research is indicated to evaluate a causal or noncausal mechanism for this association.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Grundtvig ◽  
T Vollnes-Eriksen ◽  
T Hole

Abstract Studies report relation between quality of life and outcome. However, less is known about how various aspects of quality of life relates to mortality and admissions for heart failure. Method Mortality was examined in 7001 patients with completed Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ) at the first visit to specialised hospital outpatient clinics included in our registry. A subset of 4264 patients with a second MLWHFQ at a late follow-up visit was assessed for the number of admissions and days in hospital for reason of heart failure during a six months period prior to the late visit. Results In multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model for time to death after the first visit with a median 19 months follow-up and 1001 deaths, the MLWHFQ score for the subset of the “physical domain” (question 2 to 9) was a significant independent predictor for mortality (P=0.002) adjusted for gender, NYHA-class, blood pressure, s-sodium, stroke, obstructive lung disease, eGFR, anemia, age, daily dose diuretic, and ischemic cause for heart failure. The total MLWHFQ score and the Minnesota “emotional domain” (question 17–21) were not significant variables when the MLWHFQ “physical domain” was entered in the analysis. The number of admissions for heart failure and the number of days in hospital for these admissions in a six months period prior to the late visit were analysed by linear regression for related variables. The total MLWHFQ score at the late visit was highly significant for the number of admissions in the six months period (p<0.001) adjusted for the daily dose diuretic, NYHA functional class and proBNP. The MLWHFQ “physical domain” and the MLWHFQ “emotional domain” were not significant variables when the total score was entered. The number of days in hospital was related to the daily dose diuretic, NYHA functional class, proBNP, and in addition anaemia at the late visit again with the MLWHFQ total score being a significant predictor (=0.001) Conclusions Disease specific quality of life measured with MLWHFQ “physical domain” was a highly significant predictor for mortality after the first visit. The late total MLWHFQ score was a better predictor for heart failure related admissions and days in hospital than the subset domains in multivariate analysis. Acknowledgement/Funding None


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Shashenkov ◽  
S.A Gabrusenko ◽  
S.L Babak ◽  
A.G Maliavin

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy as a rehabilitation method in patients with ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF) after COVID-19. Methods 54 (n=54) stable symptomatic CHF (NYHA, functional class I-II; 35%≤LVEF≤50%) subjects (44 male and 10 female; mean age 61±9,8) with prior anamnesis of CAD, at least one myocardial infarction got the exacerbation of CHF after COVID-19 episode. They were randomized in a 2:1 manner into either 35 1-hour 250–300 mm Hg sessions of EECP (n=36; 30 male, 6 female) or Sham-EECP (n=18; 14 male, 4 female). All subjects had been received optimal CHF and CAD drug therapy. At baseline, a month and half a year after EECP course every subject was examined with echocardiography and 6-minute walk test. Results All 36 active EECP treatment group subjects improved by at least 1 NYHA class, 66% of them had no heart failure symptoms post treatment (p&lt;0.01). 84% of treatment group pts. had sustained NYHA class improvement at half a year follow-up (p&lt;0.01), compared with baseline. There was significant difference between LVEF 44±6,5% at baseline vs post-EECP LVEF 50±4,6% (p&lt;0.01) in active EECP treatment group subjects. At the same time there were no significant changes of NYHA class and LVEF in Sham-EECP subjects. No one subject dies after half a year of follow up. Conclusions Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy sustainably improves NYHA functional class and LVEF in patients with ischemic CHF exacerbation after COVID-19. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.


Heart ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. heartjnl-2020-317984
Author(s):  
Mariana Blacher ◽  
André Zimerman ◽  
Pedro H B Engster ◽  
Eduardo Grespan ◽  
Carisi A Polanczyk ◽  
...  

ObjectiveNew York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class plays a central role in heart failure (HF) assessment but might be unreliable in mild presentations. We compared objective measures of HF functional evaluation between patients classified as NYHA I and II in the Rede Brasileira de Estudos em Insuficiência Cardíaca (ReBIC)-1 Trial.MethodsThe ReBIC-1 Trial included outpatients with stable HF with reduced ejection fraction. All patients had simultaneous protocol-defined assessment of NYHA class, 6 min walk test (6MWT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and patient’s self-perception of dyspnoea using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, range 0–100).ResultsOf 188 included patients with HF, 122 (65%) were classified as NYHA I and 66 (35%) as NYHA II at baseline. Although NYHA class I patients had lower dyspnoea VAS Scores (median 16 (IQR, 4–30) for class I vs 27.5 (11–49) for class II, p=0.001), overlap between classes was substantial (density overlap=60%). A similar profile was observed for NT-proBNP levels (620 pg/mL (248–1333) vs 778 (421–1737), p=0.015; overlap=78%) and for 6MWT distance (400 m (330–466) vs 351 m (286–408), p=0.028; overlap=64%). Among NYHA class I patients, 19%–34% had one marker of HF severity (VAS Score >30 points, 6MWT <300 m or NT-proBNP levels >1000 pg/mL) and 6%–10% had two of them. Temporal change in functional class was not accompanied by variation on dyspnoea VAS (p=0.14).ConclusionsMost patients classified as NYHA classes I and II had similar self-perception of their limitation, objective physical capabilities and levels of natriuretic peptides. These results suggest the NYHA classification poorly discriminates patients with mild HF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Veenis ◽  
J. J. Brugts

AbstractExacerbations of chronic heart failure (HF) with the necessity for hospitalisation impact hospital resources significantly. Despite all of the achievements in medical management and non-pharmacological therapy that improve the outcome in HF, new strategies are needed to prevent HF-related hospitalisations by keeping stable HF patients out of the hospital and focusing resources on unstable HF patients. Remote monitoring of these patients could provide the physicians with an additional tool to intervene adequately and promptly. Results of telemonitoring to date are inconsistent, especially those of telemonitoring with traditional non-haemodynamic parameters. Recently, the CardioMEMS device (Abbott Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA), an implantable haemodynamic remote monitoring sensor, has shown promising results in preventing HF-related hospitalisations in chronic HF patients hospitalised in the previous year and in New York Heart Association functional class III in the United States. This review provides an overview of the available evidence on remote monitoring in chronic HF patients and future perspectives for the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these strategies.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongkum Heo ◽  
Debra K Moser ◽  
Terry A Lennie ◽  
Mary Fischer ◽  
Eugene Smith ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) have notably poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which is associated with high hospitalization rates. Physical symptoms have been associated with poor HRQOL. However, whether improvement in physical symptoms actually leads to improvement in HRQOL has not fully examined in patients with HF. Purpose: To examine the effects of changes in physical symptoms on changes in HRQOL at 12 months, after controlling for age, comorbidities, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and modifiable psychosocial and behavioral factors. Methods: Data on physical symptoms (Symptom Status Questionnaire-HF) and HRQOL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure) were collected from 94 patients with HF (mean age 58 ± 14 years, 44% male, 58% NYHA functional class II/III) at baseline and 12 month follow-up. Age, comorbidities, and NYHA functional class were collected using standard questionnaires at baseline. Psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms [Patient Health Questionnaire], perceived control [Control Attitudes Scale-Revised], and social support [Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support]) and behavioral variables (medication adherence [Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems], sodium intake [24-hour urine], and self-care management [Self-care management subscale of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index]) were collected at baseline. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean score changes in physical symptoms and HRQOL were -3.8 (± 14.1) and -9.2 (± 24.1), respectively (negative scores indicate improvement.). Among the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, psychosocial variables, behavioral variables, baseline physical symptoms, and changes in physical symptoms, only changes in physical symptoms predicted changes in HRQOL at 12 months (F = 6.384, R2 = .46, p < .001). Improvement in physical symptoms led to improvement in HRQOL. Conclusion: It is critical to improve physical symptoms to improve HRQOL. Thus, development and delivery of effective interventions targeting improvement in physical symptoms are warranted in this population.


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