Patients' and family members' perspectives on arrhythmias and sudden death in dialysis: the HeartLink focus groups pilot study
Author
Xu, Eric JBoyer, LaPricia Lewis
Jaar, Bernard G
Ephraim, Patti L
Gimenez, Luis
Cheng, Alan
Chrispin, Jonathan
Weir, Matthew R
Raj, Dominic
Guallar, Eliseo
Shafi, Tariq
Date
2021-05-27Journal
BMC NephrologyPublisher
Springer NatureType
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Patients receiving dialysis face a high risk of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Few patients, however, are aware of this risk. Implantable cardiac monitors are currently available for clinical use and can continuously monitor cardiac rhythms without the need for transvenous leads. Our goal was to gauge patients' and family members' perceptions of these risks and to identify their concerns about cardiac monitors. Methods: Two 90-minute focus groups were conducted: one with patients receiving in-center hemodialysis and one with their family members. Trained moderators assessed: (1) knowledge of cardiovascular disease; (2) cardiovascular disease risk in dialysis; (3) risk of death due to cardiovascular disease; (4) best ways to convey this risk to patients/families; and (5) concerns about cardiac monitors. The sessions were audiotaped, transcribed, and independently analyzed by two reviewers to identify core themes. Emblematic quotations were chosen to illustrate the final themes. Results: Nine adult patients and three family members participated. Patients felt education was inadequate and had little knowledge of arrhythmias. Patients'/families' concerns regarding cardiac monitors were related to adverse effects, the notification process, and cosmetic effects. Patients/families felt that nephrologists, not dialysis staff, would be the best source for education. Conclusions: The preliminary data from this small study population suggest that patients/families are not well aware of the high risk of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in dialysis. Further investigation is required to gauge this awareness among patients/families and to assess their impressions of implantable cardiac monitors for arrhythmia detection and management.Identifier to cite or link to this item
http://hdl.handle.net/10713/15910ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1186/s12882-021-02403-0
Scopus Count
Collections
Related articles
- Frequency of arrhythmia symptoms and acceptability of implantable cardiac monitors in Hemodialysis patients.
- Authors: El Hage N, Jaar BG, Cheng A, Knight C, Blasco-Colmenares E, Gimenez L, Guallar E, Shafi T
- Issue date: 2017 Oct 10
- Arrhythmia and Sudden Death in Hemodialysis Patients: Protocol and Baseline Characteristics of the Monitoring in Dialysis Study.
- Authors: Charytan DM, Foley R, McCullough PA, Rogers JD, Zimetbaum P, Herzog CA, Tumlin JA, MiD Investigators and Committees.
- Issue date: 2016 Apr 7
- Arrhythmias in Patients on Maintenance Dialysis: A Cross-sectional Study.
- Authors: Rantanen JM, Riahi S, Schmidt EB, Johansen MB, Søgaard P, Christensen JH
- Issue date: 2020 Feb
- ECG abnormalities in hemodialysis.
- Authors: Lörincz I, Zilahi Z, Kun C, Mátyus J, Kakuk G
- Issue date: 1997 Dec
- Primary outcomes of the Monitoring in Dialysis Study indicate that clinically significant arrhythmias are common in hemodialysis patients and related to dialytic cycle.
- Authors: Roy-Chaudhury P, Tumlin JA, Koplan BA, Costea AI, Kher V, Williamson D, Pokhariyal S, Charytan DM, MiD investigators and committees.
- Issue date: 2018 Apr