Patients' and family members' perspectives on arrhythmias and sudden death in dialysis: the HeartLink focus groups pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients receiving dialysis face a high risk of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Few patients, however, are aware of this risk. Implantable cardiac monitors are currently available for clinical use and can continuously monitor cardiac rhythms without the need for transvenous leads. Our goal was to gauge patients' and family members' perceptions of these risks and to identify their concerns about cardiac monitors.

Methods

Two 90-minute focus groups were conducted: one with patients receiving in-center hemodialysis and one with their family members. Trained moderators assessed: (1) knowledge of cardiovascular disease; (2) cardiovascular disease risk in dialysis; (3) risk of death due to cardiovascular disease; (4) best ways to convey this

SUBMITTER: Xu EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8161918 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature