title: [Palliative care in the management of heart failure].
abstract: Heart failure is an increasingly prevalent, often progressive condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. In end-stage heart failure a strategy is urgently needed to ensure a truly progressive move away from invasive treatment toward supportive terminal care. The basic principles of palliative care--good communication and close attention to symptom control--should be adopted to improve the quality of life of heart failure patients. On the basis of a case study, the need of palliative care in the management of heart failure will be demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: I. Medizinische Abteilung, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern, Wien, Osterreich. gabriele.weigl@bhs.at
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weigl
mesh_terms: D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents