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Title Vaccination in Heart Failure Patients; The Gap between Awareness and Adherence |
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Type Free Paper Session 5 |
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Theme ACC Asia & SCS 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting |
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Topic Heart Failure / Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Preventive Cardiology |
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Main Author Po Fun Chan1 |
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Presenting Author Lay Cheng Toh1 |
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Co-Author Lay Cheng Toh1 William Kristanto1 |
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Department / Institution / Country Cardiology / Ng Teng Fong General Hospital / Singapore1 |
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Objective(s) Patients with heart failure (HF) commonly experience acute exacerbations. There is significant overlap between respiratory infections and these episodes, and vaccination against Influenza and Pneumococcus is a cost-effective intervention to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. This study explores the gap between physician awareness and adherence. |
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Material and Method Physicians were polled via an online survey. |
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Result(s) 140 physcians were polled. There were 29 Cardiology specialists/trainees surveyed. All confirmed regular management of HF patients, with 76% expressing familiarity with vaccination guidelines. 4 who claimed familiarity, however, were unaware that pneumococcal vaccinations were also recommended; They were all associate consultants and above. 1 trainee was not convinced of the benefit of vaccination. Only 45% of the cardiologists always/often screen and offer vaccinations to their patients, and only 48% feel that their patients complete their vaccinations all/most of the time. 65 of those polled were from non-Cardiology disciplines, but encountered HF patients on a regular basis, and had opportunities to offer vaccinations. Only 18 were familiar with vaccination requirements in HF patients, and 3 were unconvinced about the benefit. A mere 25% of these physicians always/often screen and offer vaccinations to their patients, and only 20% feel that their patients complete their vaccinations all/most of the time. Senior physicians appeared more inclined to offer vaccinations than their junior counterparts. Perceived barriers include the lack of awareness and time, and difficulty in checking if the patients have been previously vaccinated. For the cardiologists, patient-refusal was also a significant barrier. |
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Conclusion Despite general concensus that influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are beneficial to HF patients, adoption and adherence to this adjunctive HF therapy appears to be less than ideal in the real-world setting. Barriers are identified, and addressing these issues can lead to better compliance in physicians managing HF. |