Patients are considered to be in the terminal stages of heart disease if the following criteria are met.
1. Patient is being optimally treated for heart disease, is not a candidate for surgical intervention or declines surgical intervention
2. Patient is classified as NYHA Class IV
Other factors that may support hospice eligibility include:
- Ejection fraction < 20%
- History of brain embolism of cardiac origin
- Concomitant HIV disease
- History of unexplained syncope
- Treatment resistant symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular arrhythmias
- History of cardiac arrest or resuscitation
Considerations: If the patient does not meet the above referenced guidelines, they may still qualify; consider the present underlying illness(es) / co-morbidites that may affect the terminality of the patient's condition. Call Hospice Care of Kansas for a consultation.
316-559-2049
