Heart failure & cardiomyopathies
Mapping of Current Practices of Palliative Care for Patients with Heart Failure Throughout Europe: A Scoping Review
Authors' conclusion
This review underscores the need for structured, early integration of palliative care in HF management across Europe with clear triggers for palliative care referral, application of standardized pathways and fostering of multiprofessional collaboration.
Study context
- Population
- Publications on adults with heart failure (HF) and models of palliative care integration in 10 European countries (RAPHAEL consortium)1,543 records screened
- Participants
- 13 participants
- Outcome
- How national and international guidelines recommend integrating palliative care into HF management
Methodological detailsSix databases searched, 1 January 2000 to 25 May 2024, Content analysis synthesis
- Six databases searched, 1 January 2000 to 25 May 2024
- Content analysis synthesis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Population eligible for palliative care defined by symptoms
- 4/13 publications; 31%
- Population eligible for palliative care defined by pathophysiology
- 2/13; 15%
- Referral trigger: clinical features and symptoms
- 8/13; 62%
- Referral trigger: patients approaching end of life
- 8/13; 62%
- Referral trigger: symptomatic deterioration despite optimal therapy
- 7/13; 54%
- Referral trigger: multiple (>1) unplanned hospitalizations
- 6/13; 46%
- Referral trigger: spiritual, emotional or social issues
- 7/13; 54%
- Outcome of referral: quality of life
- 9/13; 69%
- Outcome of referral: symptom control
- 9/13; 69%
- Involvement: cardiologists
- 12/13; 92%
- Involvement: nurses
- 10/12; 77%
- Involvement: palliative care specialists
- 9/13; 69%
- Involvement: primary care physicians
- 4/13; 31%
Original publication
Mapping of Current Practices of Palliative Care for Patients with Heart Failure Throughout Europe: A Scoping Review. ESC Heart Fail. Published 29 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →