Dying trajectories in heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
To explore dying trajectories in heart failure.


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Sixteen GP surgeries in four demographically contrasting areas of the UK.


METHODS
A total of 27 heart failure patients, >60 years of age, who completed questionnaires for at least five time-points before death.


METHODS
Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Physical Limitation Scale.


RESULTS
No 'typical' dying trajectory could be identified, and only a minority of patients conformed to the theoretical trajectory of dying in heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the first prospective data regarding physical decline prior to death in heart failure. Findings challenge current efforts to plan and deliver palliative care services on the basis of the theoretical heart failure dying trajectory.
Gott
Merryn
M
Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing, University of Sheffield, Sheffield.
Barnes
Sarah
S
Parker
Chris
C
Payne
Sheila
S
Seamark
David
D
Gariballa
Salah
S
Small
Neil
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003643:Death; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*