However , there were no consistent relationships observed between intervention characteristics and the effects of interventions .
Most trials review ed demonstrated a beneficial impact of nursing interventions for secondary prevention in patients with CAD or heart failure .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review of recent r and omized trials was conducted to determine if cardiovascular nursing interventions improve outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) and /or heart failure .
Impact of specialist care in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure: a randomised controlled study.
AIM To assess the feasibility and impact of specialist care in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure in primary and secondary care . METHODS Patients with suspected heart failure referred for open access echocardiography to a hospital-based echocardiography service were assessed from June 2002 through to June 2003 . Patients with confirmed left ventricular systolic dysfunction ( LVSD ) were r and omised to specialist care ( cardiology registrar and heart failure nurses ) or referred back to their general practitioner ( GP ) . R and omisation was stratified for age and sex and both groups were comparable . All patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 months post r and omisation with a mean follow-up time of 10+/-3 months . Specialist care was provided both in the community and in hospital . The primary endpoint was prescription of optimum heart failure medication and secondary endpoint was a composite endpoint of all cause mortality and /or hospital admission . RESULTS 386 patients were screened ; mean age -72+/-10 years . 113 ( 29 % ) had confirmed LVSD on echocardiography and were r and omised to specialist or primary care . The prescription of ACE-inhibitors ( 85 % vs. 64 % ) and beta blockers ( 50 % vs. 2 % ) was higher in patients r and omised to specialist care . No significant differences were noted in mortality or hospitalisation . CONCLUSION Specialist heart failure care results in higher rates of optimal prescribing , in primary and secondary care
However , there were no consistent relationships observed between intervention characteristics and the effects of interventions .
Most trials review ed demonstrated a beneficial impact of nursing interventions for secondary prevention in patients with CAD or heart failure .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review of recent r and omized trials was conducted to determine if cardiovascular nursing interventions improve outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) and /or heart failure .