Abstract
Background:
Chronic intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) is recommended as palliative therapy for end-stage heart failure (HF) but is underutilized in hospice settings.
Objectives:
This study evaluates outcomes for patients on CIIS receiving hospice care.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study using electronic health records of patients on CIIS admitted to hospice.
Setting/Subjects:
Twenty-one patients admitted to a mid-Atlantic hospice between 2018 and 2022.
Measurements:
Data collected included demographics, inotropic therapy details, hospice length of stay (LOS), hospitalizations, and medication usage.
Results:
The mean age was 72.9 years; 67% were on milrinone. Patients had a mean hospice LOS of 49.6 days, with 66% experiencing no hospitalizations. Only 24% of patients required high-dose opioids. 24% of patients were discharged alive from hospice, and 52% died at home.
Conclusion:
Caring for patients on CIIS in hospice appears feasible and may portend some benefits to patients. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in a prospective observational cohort.
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