Cardio-oncology & otherResearch article
Decision-making for older adults with advanced heart disease: a framework for balancing benefit versus futility
- State-of-the-art review
Authors' conclusion
Ultimately, informed shared decision-making with a patient-centered philosophy is essential to uphold dignity and enhance the quality of life for older adults facing complex cardiovascular conditions.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults with advanced CV disease
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Framework for futility in older adults with advanced heart disease
- Quantitative futility defined as interventions with statistically negligible benefits; qualitative futility as interventions misaligned with patient-specific goals and values
- Determinants of prohibitive risk: CV disease, procedural morbidity, competing non-CV risks and frailty; frailty distinguished from futility, severe frailty reviewed by the A-B-C-D-E mnemonic
- Once futility is invoked: ongoing compassionate dialogue with patient and family; early, aggressive palliative care beneficial for symptom control and quality of life
Original publication
Decision-making for older adults with advanced heart disease: a framework for balancing benefit versus futility. Eur Heart J. Published 24 July 2025. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf351
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it