Abstract 13065: Trends, Predictors and Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients undergoing Palliative Care

Background: Palliative care improves quality of life and potentially survival in advanced heart failure patients but is underutilized. Current trends in palliative care in heart failure patients in real world practice are not known. Methods: We analyzed patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2002-2011 with primary discharge diagnosis of heart failure. Among these patients we analyzed the co-diagnosis of palliative care. Primary outcomes of interest were yearly trends in palliative care utilization during the study period. Secondary outcomes of interest were clinical characteristics and outcomes in those undergoing palliative care. Results: Out of 10,475,928 discharges with primary diagnosis of heart failure 88,595(0.8%)patients had co-diagnosis of palliative care. We saw a steady increase in palliative care utilization from 0.2% to 2.4% from 2002 to 2011(p<0.001)(Figure). In prior to admission variables Age, female sex, malignancy, weight loss and liver disease while during index admiss...