Management of heart failure in Canadian long-term care facilities.
BACKGROUND
In long-term care (LTC) facilities, heart failure is common but undertreated. No Canadian studies of heart failure in LTC facilities have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey in eight LTC facilities lodging 1223 residents.


RESULTS
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 associated with a greater likelihood of ACE inhibitor use. Beta-blockers were prescribed to 25% of residents, who were more likely to be using nitrates, have ischemic heart disease or had been recently hospitalized, and less likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Residents with atrial fibrillation were more likely to be prescribed digoxin. Potentially hazardous regimens were prescribed to 43% of residents.


CONCLUSIONS
Heart failure is common in Canadian LTC facilities. Management of heart failure in LTC does not conform to guidelines. Improved diagnostic methods tailored for frail elderly patients must be developed. Studies are needed to understand and identify factors influencing prescribing for heart failure medication in LTC.
Heckman
George A
GA
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. heck0@sympatico.ca
Misiaszek
Brian
B
Merali
Fatima
F
Turpie
Irene D
ID
Patterson
Christopher J
CJ
Flett
Norman
N
McKelvie
Robert S
RS
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents