Cardiology Commons^™

A Case-Based Implementation Of Heart Failure Therapies, A Consensus Pathway By The Saudi Heart Failure Working Group, Abeer Bakhsh, Ibrahim Jelaidan, Ammar Gulzar Chaudhary, Sahar Al Amro, Kamal Alghalayini, Osama Almogbel, Maryam Alqaseer, Hanan B. Albackr, Fayez Elshaer, Fakhr Al Ayoubi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

The implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in heart failure (HF) has many challenges in real-world clinical practice. The consensus document is written considering the variability of the clinical presentation of HF patients. HF medical therapies need frequent dose adjustment during hospital admission or when patients develop electrolyte imbalance, acute kidney injury, and other acute illnesses. The paper describes clinical scenarios and graphs that will aid the managing physicians in decision-making for HF therapy optimization.

A Simple Effective Method For Frailty In Heart Failure With Impact On Clinical Outcomes In North Indian Population, Gurbhej Singh, Rohit Tandon, Neelesh C. Pandey, Namita Bansal, Abhishek Goyal, Bhupinder Singh, Shibba Takkar Chhabra, Naved Aslam, Gurpreet Singh Wander, Bishav Mohan

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Introduction and Objectives: Frailty has been studied extensively in elderly population as a predictor and prognostic marker for morbidity and mortality. Frailty is being increasingly recognised as a distinct pathophysiological condition which plays a major role in outcomes of various disease states including heart failure. Our aim was to study the prevalence of frailty in heart failure and see its prognostic significance in such patients. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in an out-patient HF clinic. All consecutive patients with HF, > 25 years age, with LVEF < 40 % were included. All patients were asked a simple frailty questionnaire. Hand-dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength in kilograms and were classified as frail, pre-frail or non-frail. The primary end point was cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization, and secondary end-point was composite of all cause mortality, hospitalization,device implantation and documented arrythmia. Results: 210 patients were studied for clinical outcomes.Mean age was 60.59+ 11.55 years with 15 % patients aged less than 50 years. Mean LVEF was 30.24+ 6.8%. Handgrip strength was poor in the frail vs non/pre-frail patients (p=0.001) with a strength >16.95 kg having sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 63% for the prediction …

Impact Of A Social Support Program Supervised By A Multidisciplinary Team On Psychosocial Distress And Knowledge About Heart Failure Among Heart Failure Patients, Muhammad Adil Soofi, Zainab Jafery, Faisal Alsamadi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

ABSTRACT:

Background: Heart failure drains significant financial resources with morbidity and mortality higher than cancer. Social support is defined as the care provided by the family members, friends and health care workers to the patients. Absence of social support and poor perceived social support will create stress, anxiety, depression and anger which further deteriorate the underlying disease and worsen quality of life. Discussion in group creates better understanding of the disease which helps the patients improving their skills in managing their condition.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary team supervised social support program on components of psychosocial distress and …

Health Care Delivery For Heart Failure Patients During The Covid-19 Pandemic; A Consensus Of The Saudi Heart Failure Working Group (Saudi-Hf), Abeer Bakhsh, Maryam Alqaseer, Fakhr Alayoubi, Rima S. Bader, Kamal Alghalayini, Abdelfatah Elasfar, Waleed Alhabeeb

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to global and national rapid health system changes to treat the affected patients and prevent the spread of the virus. The social distancing, redirecting resources, and nationwide lockdown led to the cancellation of non-urgent hospital visits and interruption of continuity of care for patients with chronic cardiac conditions such as heart failure (HF). This consensus document addresses the domains of health care delivery that are affected by the pandemic. It explains the current situation of health care delivery to heart failure patients and further recommendation on how to overcome this. Thus, maintaining quality …