MNT for Heart Failure and Transplant Congestive Heart

MNT for Heart Failure and Transplant

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) n A clinical syndrome characterized by progressive deterioration of left ventricular function, inadequate tissue perfusion, fatigue, shortness of breath, and congestion

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) —cont’d Gradual failure of heart 1. Compensated—Lack of O 2 to tissues causes increase in heart rate and enlargement of heart 2. Decompensated—Heart no longer adjusts

Causes of Heart Failure n n Diseases of the heart (valves, muscle, vessels, arteries) and vasculature (hypertension) cause left ventricular systolic dysfunction Once established, myocardial infarction, dietary sodium excess, medication noncompliance, arrhythmias, pulmonary embolism, infection, anemia can precipitate complete CHF

Prevalence and Incidence Unlike other cardiovascular diseases, CHF is on the increase n Number of CHF-related discharges increased 174% from 1979 -2003 n 4. 8 million Americans have CHF; overall prevalence 2 -6% n Krummel DA in Krause, 12 th ed. , 2008

Prevalence and Incidence Prevalence increases with age, especially after age 55 n Black women have the highest rates, followed by black men, Latino men, white women, and Latino women n More Medicare dollars are spent on CHF than on any other diagnosis n

Prevalence and Incidence n n Incidence has risen in last 20 years because of aging population, increased number of people being saved from premature death secondary to MI, increase in obesity and associated hypertension Incidence of CHF approaches 10 per 1000 people over 65 years Median survival of men and women is 1. 7 years and 3. 1 years respectively One in five persons with CHF will die within a year of diagnosis

Risk Factors Hypertension (91% of Framingham cohort had hypertension before CHF) n Left ventricular hypertrophy n Coronary heart disease (causes 6065% of cases) n Diabetes n Mean age of onset is 70 years n

Stages of Heart Failure A High risk of HF because of presence of risk factors but without syx or structural damage B Structural heart disease LVH or fibrosis, left ventricular associated with HF but dilatation; low EF; asymptomatic no signs/syx valve disease, previous MI C Structural heart disease with current or prior syx of HF Dyspnea or fatigue due to LV dysfunction; reduced exercise tolerance D Advanced structural damage, refractory symptoms Frequently hospitalized; awaiting transplant Krummel in Krause, 12 th Ed. HBP, CAD, diabetes, alcohol abuse, hx rheumatic fever; family hx cardiomyopathy, using cardiotoxins, metabolic syndrome

Classifications of Heart Failure Class I No undue symptoms associated with ordinary activity; no limitations Class II Slight limitation of physical activity; patient comfortable at rest Class III Marked limitation of physical activity; patient comfortable at rest Class IV Inability to carry out physical activity without discomfort; symptoms of cardiac insufficiency or chest pain at rest

Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms n Dyspnea n Orthopnea n Nausea n Fullness n Pulmonary edema n Cardiac cachexia

CHF DIAGNOSIS n EKG or electrocardiogram – measures the rate and regularity of the heartbeat – May indicate whethere has been heart damage or changes in anatomy n Chest X-ray – Shows whether heart is enlarged, fluid in lungs, pulmonary disease

CHF DIAGNOSIS n Echocardiogram – Most useful test in diagnosis of heart failure – Uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart – Evaluates heart function: cardiac output and areas of the heart that are not contracting normally

Other Cardiac Tests n Holter Monitor: ambulatory electrocardiography – Worn for 24 hours and provides a continuing recording of heart rhythm during normal activity n Cardiac Blood Pool Scan (radionuclide ventriculography or nuclear scan) – Uses radioactive imaging agent injected into a vein to outline chambers of the heart and blood vessels – Shows how well heart is pumping blood to the rest of the body

Other Cardiac Tests n Cardiac Catheterization n Coronary angiography: usually done along with cardiac catheterization – Flexible tube passed through vein in the groin or arm to reach the coronary arteries – Allows physician to visualize the arteries, check pressure and blood flow in coronary arteries, collect blood samples – Dye injected into coronary arteries and/or chambers of the heart – Allows angiographer to visualize flow of blood

Cardiac Tests n Exercise Stress Test – EKG and blood pressure readings are taken before, during, and after exercise to determine how the heart responds to exercise – Patient exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike until reaches a heartrate established by the physician – Echocardiogram often included

BNP and NTpro. BNPBlood Test n n n Measure the concentration of BNP (hormone made by the heart) or NT-pro. BNP (both formed when pro-BNP is cleaved into two fragments) Released as a natural response to heart failure, to hypotension, and to LVH Used to grade the severity of heart failure

Cachectic Heart n A soft, flabby heart characterized by loss of myocardial mass as the result of extreme malnutrition

Congestive Heart Failure Treatment n Goal: decrease work of heart n Diet 1. Na restriction (500 to 1000 mg) 2. Monitor serum K—hypokalemia possible with diuretics and digoxin) 3. Fluid restriction 4. Alcohol—none to moderate 5. Caffeine—can cause MI or cardiac arrhythmia

Medications Used in Heart Failure n n n Diuretics help reduce fluid buildup in lungs and peripheral edema ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. These medications also may reduce the risk of a future heart attack. Beta blockers slow heart rate and lower blood pressure to decrease the workload on the heart. Digoxin makes the heart beat stronger and pump more blood. Vasodilators: reduce blood pressure and stress on the heart

MNT in HF Fluid restriction n Sodium restriction n Meet energy/protein needs n Prevent cardiac cachexia n Small frequent meals n

Fluid Restriction If hyponatremia occurs (serum sodium <130 m. Eq/L) n Limit total fluids to <2000 ml n In severe decompensation, limit to 1000 -1500 ml n Maintain restricted sodium diet even if serum sodium depleted; sodium has moved from blood to tissues n

Fluid Status and Assessment Patients should record daily weights and advise care providers if weight gain exceeds 2 -3 lb a day or 5 lb in a week n Restricting sodium and fluids (decreasing by 1 to 1. 5 cups) may prevent complete HF n

Fluid Calculations Hospitalized patients may be limited to 500 -2000 ml daily n Foods having a high fluid content may also be limited n Foods that are liquid at room temperature such as ice cream, yogurt, gelatin, popsicles count towards fluid allotment n

Living with Fluid Restrictions Freezing fruit or sucking on sugar free hard candy may help n Fluid status monitored by measuring urine specific gravity and serum electrolyte values and observing for clinical signs of edema n Restrictions often discontinued when patients leave the hospital n

Cardiac. Cachexia n n n Involuntary weight loss of >6% of nonedematous body weight over a 6 -month period Significant loss of lean body mass: exacerbates HF Cachectic heart: soft and flabby Structural, circulatory, metabolic, inflammatory, and neuroendocrine changes in skeletal muscle Serious complication of HF

Cardiac. Cachexia n n n Patients with cardiac cachexia may lose 1015% of their body weight (dry weight) Other markers (serum prealbumin and transferrin) may be disproportionately low because of the dilutional effect of excess fluid Use anthropometrics (measurement of calf and thigh circumference, MUAC) and diet history

Cardiac. Cachexia n n n Proinflammatory state in which cytokines (TNF, IL-1 and I-6) are elevated in the blood and myocardial tissue Reduced blood flow to the gut may reduce gut integrity leading to entry of bacteria and endotoxins High TNF associated with reduced BMI, lower skinfolds, reduced visceral proteins Krummel in Krause, 12 th ed. , 2008

Energy Needs in HF n n n For obese patients, hypocaloric diets (10001200 kcals) will reduce the stress on the heart In undernourished patient, energy needs are increased by 30 -50% above basal levels; 35 kcals/kg often used Patients with cardiac cachexia may require 1. 6 -1. 8 times resting energy expenditure for repletion

Sodium n n n Impaired cardiac function → inadequate blood flow to the kidneys → aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone secretion Aldosterone promotes sodium resorption and ADH promotes water conservation Even patients with mild heart failure can retain sodium and water if consuming a high salt diet (6 g or 250 m. Eq/day)

Sodium in Patients with Heart Failure n n n Recommendations vary between 1200 to 2400 mg/day (adequate intake 1200 mg/d) Patients on high dose lasix (>80 mg/day) <2000 mg Severe restrictions are unpalatable and nutritionally inadequate Ethnic differences in sodium intake Use least restrictive diet that achieves clinical goals

Dietary Sources of Sodium n Salt used at the table n Salt or sodium compounds added during preparation or processing n Inherent sodium in foods n Chemically softened water n Average American consumes 4 to 6 g sodium/day; 80% from processed foods n Minimum to maintain life is 250 mg/day n Salt substitutes, herbs, spices and other seasonings n Drugs and antacids may contain sodium n Kosher foods

Characteristics of Common Sodium Restrictions 3 g (131 m. Eq) No added salt High sodium foods are limited; no more than ½ t of table salt allowed 2 g (87 m. Eq) Mild restriction High sodium foods are eliminated; moderate sodium foods are limited; no more than ¼ t of table salt allowed 1 g (43 m. Eq) Moderate High and moderate sodium foods eliminated; table salt not allowed; canned/processed foods containing salt omitted; frozen peas, lima beans, mixed veg and corn omitted d/t brine in processing; regular bread and baked goods limited. Difficult to maintain at home

500 mg Sodium Diet n n n High sodium, moderate sodium foods eliminated. Table salt not allowed. Canned or processed foods containing salt omitted Frozen vegetables (peas, lima beans, mixed vegetables, corn) omitted due to brine High sodium vegetables beets, beet greens, carrots, kale, spinach, celery, white turnips, rutabagas, mustard greens, chard, dandelion greens omitted Low sodium bread instead of regular bread Meat limited to 6 ounces

High Sodium Foods

Food Servings for Sodium. Controlled Diets

Food Servings for Sodium Controlled Diets, cont

Food Labeling Guide (standard serving) Sodium Free. Less than 5 mg Very Low Sodium 35 mg or less Low Sodium 140 mg or less Reduced Sodium At least 25% less sodium than regular food Light Sodium 50% less sodium Unsalted, No salt added during processing Without Added Salt, No Salt Added Lightly Salted 50% less added sodium than normally added (product must state “not a low-sodium food”)

Nondietary. Sources of Sodium Medications: barbiturates, sulfonamides, antibiotics, cough medications, stomach alkalizers, laxatives, mouthwashes n Chewable antacid tablet can add 1200 to 7000 mg of sodium daily n Aspirin: 50 mg sodium per tablet n

Potassium n n n Potassium wasting diuretics (hydrochlorthiazide, furosemide) increase potassium excretion which may lead to digitalis toxicity Some patients will need potassium supplements Salt substitutes can provide 500 -2000 mg of potassium per teaspoon; contraindicated in renal failure and with certain other medications

Sodium and Salt Gram and Milliequivalent Measures 1 m. Eq Na = 23 mg NA

Other Dietary Factors in Heart Failure n n n n Alcohol and caffeine Weight maintenance Calcium and vitamin D Magnesium Thiamin supplementation Small frequent feedings Supplements

Other Nutritional Issues n n n Calcium and Vitamin D: half of patients with severe HF have osteopenia or osteoporosis, especially cachectic patients; use calcium supplements with caution w/ cardiac arrhythmias Magnesium: diuretics may increase mg excretion; measure blood mg levels Thiamin status should be evaluated in HF patients on loop diuretics

Cardiac Assist Devices Mechanical heart pumps n May be helpful in pre-transplant HF patients or in those for whom transplant is not an option n

Heart Transplant n n n Only cure for refractory CHF In 2003, 2000 cardiac transplants in the U. S. Highest number in white men 50 -64 years of age

Pretransplant. MNT Goals Body weight 90 -110% of ideal body weight n Extremes of weight (<80% or >140% IBW predict poor outcome n Pretransplant comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes) reduce survival rates n Survival 83% at 1 year, 72% at 5 years, 50% at 9 years n

Cardiomyopathy

Post-Transplant MNT Goals n n n Adequate support to promote healing and fight infection Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities Achieve optimal blood glucose control Provide energy for ambulation and physical therapy Energy: 1. 3 -1. 5 times REE; protein 1. 5 -2 grams/kg body weight; Na 2 -4 g/day Hasse in Krause, 12 th Ed. , p. 896

Post-Transplant MNT Issues Long Term n n Immunosuppressants can cause weight gain and hyperlipidemia Risk factors are prednisone dose, baseline cholesterol level, blood glucose levels, and weight gain Graft atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in long-term survivors TLC diet with 2 -4 gram sodium; optimal calcium and vitamin D to prevent steroidinduced osteoporosis

ADA Nutrition Care Manual Education Resources http: //nutritioncaremanual. org/universi 13 n Heart failure Nutrition Therapy n Hypertension Nutrition Therapy n DASH Diet guidelines n

Summary CHF—most common reason for long lengths of stay in the elderly n Prevention and management is key as prognosis is poor n Aggressive nutritional interventions are important. n