Changes in Anxiety and Self-Care Practices in Heart Failure Patients after Wireless Implantable Hemodynamic Monitor Implants

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

David M Sager (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Background: Heart Failure (HF) is a chronic cardiac disease that places a significant burden on patients through reduced functioning , unpleasant symptoms , and extensive disease management routines. Wireless implantable hemodynamic monitors (W-IHMs) are a novel technology that assists healthcare providers in tailoring medication regimens to slow disease progression and reduce symptom expression. Initial research indicates that this device improves patient outcomes , but no mechanism has yet been determined. The purpose of this study was to determine if changes in patient experiences of anxiety and their self-care routines after receiving these devices may provide information about mechanisms involved in improved patient outcomes. Methods: Nineteen HF patients who received an W-IHM implant completed a packet of surveys pre-implant and at one-month post-implant including the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and Self Care of Heart Failure Index version 6.2 (SCHFI v6.2) , as well as an initial demographic questionnaire. These data were used to examine changes in patient heart-focused anxiety and disease management routines after receiving a W-IHMs device. Results: Results indicated that patients do experience a significant reduction in heart focused anxiety , and particularly a reduction in fear related to their HF. Patients also reported an increase in self-care behaviors. However , the reduction in heart focused anxiety was not significantly related to the increase in self-care behavior , and changes in both anxiety and self-care behaviors were not related to any demographic variables. Discussion: Patients with HF who receive a W-IHM device experience a reduction in heart focused anxiety , as well as an increase in self-care behaviors related to HF disease management. It is possible that the increase in self-care behaviors is partially responsible for the improved outcomes for HF patients receiving a W-IHM device , but this data indicated that the increase in self-care behaviors may not be a result of reduced heart-focused anxiety. Implications for further research are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2018

Keywords

heart focused anxiety, wireless implantable hemodynamic devices

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