Inpatient vs. Outpatient: A Systematic Review of Information Needs throughout the Heart Failure Patient Journey

The objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe information needs for individuals with heart failure (HF) throughout their patient journey. Six databases were searched (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Ultimate, Embase, Emcare Nursing, Medline ALL, and Web of Science Core Collection) from inception to February 2023. Search strategies were developed utilizing the PICO framework. Potential studies of any methodological design were considered for inclusion through a snowball hand search. Data from the included articles were extracted by a reviewer, and the extraction accuracy was independently cross-checked by another author. Quality appraisal was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis was used to analyze all the outcomes according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guidelines. Twenty-five studies (15 quantitative and 10 qualitative) were included. Socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic factors influencing information needs were considered. The top three information needs for outpatients included general HF information, signs and symptoms and disease management strategies. For inpatients, medications, risk factors, and general HF were reported as the top needs. These divergent needs emphasize the importance of tailored education at different stages. Additionally, the review identified gaps in global representation, with limited studies from Africa and South America, underscoring the need for inclusive research. The findings caution against overgeneralization due to varied reporting methods. Practical implications call for culturally sensitive interventions to address nuanced HF patients’ needs, while future research must prioritize standardized reporting, consider diverse patient journey timepoints, and minimize biases for enhanced reliability and applicability

Arterial Structure and Function in Ambulatory Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy Are Not Different from Healthy Controls

Physical inactivity in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) places them at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The current study assessed indices of arterial health in adolescents with CP, classified as levels I-II of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) (n=11, age 13.2±2.1 yr), in comparison to age- and sex-matched controls (n=11, age 12.4±2.3 yr). Groups were similar in anthropometric measurements, resting blood pressures, and heart rates. There were no group differences in brachial flow-mediated dilation (11.1±7.8 versus 6.1±3.6), carotid intima-media thickness (0.42±0.04 versus 0.41±0.03 mm), and distensibility (0.008±0.002 versus 0.008±0.002 mmHg) or central (4.3±0.6 versus 4.1±0.9 m/s) and peripheral pulse wave velocity (7.1±1.7 versus 7.6±1.1 m/s); CP versus healthy controls, respectively. Vigorous intensity physical activity (PA) was lower in the CP group (CP: 38±80 min versus controls: 196±174 min); groups were similar in light and moderate intensity PA levels. Arterial health of ambulatory youth with CP is not different from a control group despite lower vigorous PA levels. Similar studies need to examine individuals with more pronounced mobility limitations (GMFCS level III–V)