Can Palliative Care for Heart Failure be Indicated in the Emergency Department?

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease marked by a pattern of gradual decline interspersed with episodes of acute deterioration. This often culminates in either sudden death or hospitalization.^– Discussing its trajectory, especially in emergency decompensations, can be challenging when physicians predict these situations using palliative care (PC) principles and practices.^,

The World Health Organization defines PC as a patient and family-centered approach aimed to enhance the overall quality of life (QoL) by proactively addressing, preventing, and alleviating suffering. This prioritizes relief of pain and management of distressing symptoms, upholds life’s value, and recognizes the natural process of dying. PC also provides a support system, empowering patients to live as fully and actively as possible until the end of life (EoL).^,

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