| 1. |
- Ben Gal, Tuvia, et al.
(author)
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Exercise programs for LVAD supported patients: A snapshot from the ESC affiliated countries
- 2015
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 201, s. 215-219
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To contribute to the protocol development of exercise training in LVAD supported patients by reviewing the exercise programs for those patients in the ESC affiliated countries. Methods: A subset of data from 77 (26 countries) LVAD implanting centers that participated in the Extra-HF survey (170 centers) was analyzed. Results: Of the 77 LVAD implanting centers, 45 (58%) reported to have a functioning exercise training program (ETP) for LVAD patients. In 21 (47%) of the 45 ETP programs in LVAD implanting centers, patients begin their ETP during their in-hospital post-operative recovery period. Most centers (71%) have an early post-discharge program for their patients, and 24% of the centers offer a long-term maintenance program. The professionals involved in the ETPs are mainly physiotherapists (73%), psychologists, cardiac rehab nurses (22%), or cardiologists specialized in rehabilitation (22%). Not all programs include the treating cardiologist or surgeons. Most of the ETPs (84%) include aerobic endurance training, mostly cycling (73%), or walking (62%) at low intensity intervals. Some programs apply resistance training (47%), respiratory muscle training (55%), or balance training (44%). Reasons for the absence of ETPs are referral of patients to another center (14 centers) and lack of resources (11 centers). Conclusion: There is a great variance in ETPs in LVAD implanting centers. Not all the implanting centers have an ETP, and those that do have adopted a local protocol. Clear guidance on ETP supplied by LVAD implanting centers to LVAD supported patients and more evidence for optimal modalities are needed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Hogenhuis, Jochem, et al.
(author)
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Correlates of B-type natriuretic peptide and 6-min walk in heart failure patients.
- 2006
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 108:1, s. 63-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and 6-min walk test (6MWT) are both related to the severity and prognosis in chronic heart failure (CHF), but may reflect different aspects of CHF. We related BNP and 6MWT to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA), and two indices of quality of life (physical subscales): the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLwHFQph) and the RAND-36ph. METHODS: Plasma BNP and 6MWT were measured at discharge in 229 patients who had been admitted for CHF. LVEF and NYHA were determined, and patients completed the MLwHFQ and RAND-36 questionnaires. RESULTS: BNP was weakly correlated to LVEF (r=-0.29, P<0.01) and NYHA (r=0.20, P<0.01), but not to MLwHFQph and RAND-36ph. On the other hand, 6MWT is related to MLwHFQph (r=-0.23, P<0.01), RAND-36ph (r=0.52, P<0.01), and NYHA (r=-0.46, P<0.01), but not to LVEF (r=-0.15, P=0.05). There is also no correlation between BNP and 6MWT (r=-0.01, P=0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that BNP and 6MWT represent different aspects of the clinical syndrome of CHF. The outcomes of this study suggest that BNP plasma levels are more related to cardiac function, while 6MWT reflects functional capacity and quality of life.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure
- 2016
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 207, s. 185-189
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) is suggested to play a role in the regulation of physical function as well as in depression. Since, Vit D deficiency is common in patients with heart failure (HF), this study aims to explore if Vit D levels are associated with depressive symptoms and if this association is mediated by the patients physical function. Method: 506 HF patients (mean age 71, 38% women) were investigated. Depressive symptoms and physical function were measured with the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the physical function scale from the RAND-36. Vit D was measured in blood samples Results: At baseline there was no relationship between depressive symptoms and Vit D levels. However, at 18 months follow-up 29% of patients with Vit D < 50 nmol/l at baseline had depressive symptoms compared 19% of those with Vit D levels >50 nmol/l (p < 0.05). Only in patients with Vit D < 50 nmol/l, Vit D correlated significantly to physical function and depressive symptoms (r = .29, p < 0.001 and r = .20, p < 0.01). In structural equation modelling an indirect association between Vit D and depressive symptoms was found, mediated by physical function (B = 0.20). This association was only found in patients with Vit D levels <50 nmol/l. Conclusion: In HF patients with Vit D < 50 nmol/l, Vit D is associated to depressive symptoms during follow-up and this association is mediated by physical function. This relationship is not found in patients with Vitamin D level >50 nmol/l. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Kraai, I H, et al.
(author)
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Health-related quality of life and anemia in hospitalized patients with heart failure
- 2012
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 161:3, s. 151-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Anemia is a serious and highly prevalent co-morbidity in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Its influence on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) has rarely been studied, and no data is available regarding the role it plays in hospitalized HF patients. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: Baseline data from the COACH study (Coordinating study evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counselling in Heart Failure) were used. HR-QoL was assessed by means of generic and disease-specific questionnaires. Analyses were performed using ANOVA and ANCOVA, with covariates of age, gender, eGFR, diabetes, and NYHA class. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: In total, 1013 hospitalized patients with a mean age of 71 (SD 11) years were included; 70% of these patients had no anemia (n=712), 14% had mild anemia (n=141), and 16% had moderate-to-severe anemia (n=160). Independent associations were found between anemia and physical functioning (p=0.019), anemia and role limitations due to physical functioning (p=0.002), anemia and general health (p=0.024), and anemia and global well-being (p=0.003). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: In addition to the burden of HF itself, anemia is an important factor which influences HR-QoL in hospitalized HF patients, and one that is most pronounced in the domain related to physical functioning and general health.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Piotrowicz, Ewa, et al.
(author)
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Telerehabilitation in heart failure patients: The evidence and the pitfalls
- 2016
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 220, s. 408-413
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Accessibility to the available traditional forms of cardiac rehabilitation programs in heart failure patients is not adequate and adherence to the programs remains unsatisfactory. The home-based telerehabilitation model has been proposed as a promising new option to improve this situation. This papers aims are to discuss the tools available for telemonitoring, and describing their characteristics, applicability, and effectiveness in providing optimal long termmanagement for heart failure patients who are unable to attend traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs. The critical issues of psychological support and adherence to the telerehabilitation programs are outlined. The advantages and limitations of this long term management modality are presented and compared with alternatives. Finally, the importance of further research, multicenter studies of telerehabilitation for heart failure patients and the technological development needs are outlined, in particular interactive remotely controlled intelligent telemedicine systems with increased inter-device compatibility. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- van der Wal, Martje H L, et al.
(author)
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Adherence in heart failure in the elderly : problem and possible solutions.
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 125:2, s. 203-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: As a result of the improvement of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of heart failure patients, the heart failure regimen is becoming more complicated, especially for elderly patients with co-morbid diseases. Non-adherence to this regimen is a problem in many heart failure patients, leading to worsening symptoms, rehospitalization and decreased quality of life. AIM: This paper gives an overview of literature on adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in elderly heart failure patients. The paper addresses the definition of adherence and the extent and significance of the problem of non-adherence in elderly heart failure patients. Factors contributing to non-adherence, focused on the elderly are outlined and finally interventions to improve adherence in this elderly heart failure patient group are described. CONCLUSION: Non-adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations is a major problem in elderly heart failure patients. Five dimensions that affect adherence are described consisting of social and economic factors, factors related to the health care system, to the condition of the patient, the therapy and factors related to the patient. Since non-adherences is a multidimensional problem, interventions need to be directed to all factors that are related to adherence in elderly heart failure patients. A multidisciplinary approach in a heart failure team is crucial to improve adherence in this vulnerable patient group. Effectiveness of interventions to improve adherence in elderly heart failure patients needs to be further tested.
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