PMID: 15332144Aug 28, 2004Paper

Management of heart failure in Canadian long-term care facilities

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
George A HeckmanRobert S McKelvie

Abstract

In long-term care (LTC) facilities, heart failure is common but undertreated. No Canadian studies of heart failure in LTC facilities have been reported. To estimate the prevalence of heart failure in Canadian LTC facilities; to document the management of heart failure in LTC; and to describe characteristics of LTC residents with heart failure and predictors of adherence to treatment guidelines. Cross-sectional survey in eight LTC facilities lodging 1223 residents. The prevalence of heart failure was 20%. LTC residents with heart failure were older, more often women, and more functionally impaired and burdened by comorbidity than were participants in heart failure trials. Documentation supporting the heart failure diagnosis was inadequate, with some symptoms possibly misattributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were prescribed to 55% of residents, although only 45% received appropriate doses. Residents with hypertension or diabetes mellitus, using nitrates or who were male were more likely to receive ACE inhibitors. Appropriate ACE inhibitor doses were associated with functional impairment, nitrate use and recent hospitalization. Documentation of systolic dysfunction was ...Continue Reading

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