Introduction to Special Issue on Advanced Cancer Care and Palliative Care Integration.

Palliative care is uniquely positioned to optimize the care of the oncology patient through exploring unmet needs and utilizing interdisciplinary care. The studies presented here highlight some of the ways this can be done which includes: identifying patients at risk or in need; providing solutions to those requiring community supports; addressing psychological and existential concerns; managing symptoms over the course of a disease; communicating prognosis effectively and with compassion; exploring goals of care and advance directives; and facilitating conversations regarding goals, preferences, and values.

Home Therapies in Advanced Heart Failure: Inotropes and Diuretics.

Purpose Of Review: Heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life (QOL). Symptoms, including reduced activity tolerance, fatigue, palpitations, and dyspnea, result from volume overload or low output states. Herein, we review the best available literature supporting diuretic and inotropic therapies in advanced HF and how these improve QOL.

Infectious endocarditis: diagnosis and treatment.

Infectious endocarditis results from bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardial surface of the heart and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include the presence of a prosthetic heart valve, structural or congenital heart disease, intravenous drug use, and a recent history of invasive procedures. Endocarditis should be suspected in patients with unexplained fevers, night sweats, or signs of systemic illness.