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Are Patients Being Referred to Heart Failure Specialists Too Late?
For patients who exhibit common heart failure symptoms and don’t respond to medical therapy, it’s never too early to consider a referral, a Keck Medicine of USC cardiac surgeon advises.
Raymond C. Lee, MD, says variation in care contributes to patients reaching heart failure specialists later than they should.
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Heart failure often declines gradually, and repeated visits over a year or two can provide opportunities for referral.
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Fatigue, leg swelling, exertional shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing while lying flat are signs that may warrant referral.
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Lee advises referring patients with heart failure symptoms who do not respond to medical therapy, even if they do not need hospitalization.
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Late referrals may involve cardiogenic shock or end-stage disease, making stabilization for transplant or ventricular assist device treatment more difficult and increasing mortality risk.
