American heart journal
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American heart journal · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyHospice, opiates, and acute care service use among the elderly before death from heart failure or cancer.
Advances in heart failure (HF) treatments have prolonged survival, but more patients die of HF than of any type of cancer. Little is known about the current practice in end-of-life (EOL) care in HF. ⋯ Patients dying of HF were less likely to be supported by hospice and opiates but more likely to die in hospitals than patients with cancer. Our study suggests that opportunities may exist to improve hospice and opiate use in HF patients.