Non-Medical Characteristics Affect Referral for Advanced Heart Failure Services: a Retrospective Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) are extensively evaluated before heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) eligibility. Patients are assessed for medical need and psychosocial or economic factors that may affect success post-treatment. For patients to be evaluated, however, they first must be referred. This study investigated social and economic factors affecting AHF referral, specialist visits, or treatment.

Methods

Patients with heart failure (n = 24,258) were reviewed at one large hospital system over 4 years. Independent variables age, sex, marital status, race/ethnicity, preferred language, smoking, and insurance status were assessed for the outcomes of referral, clinic visit, and treatment by Chi-square and ANOVA. In-house and

SUBMITTER: Kelty CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11143079 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature