Patient perspectives of a heart failure action plan: A qualitative study.

Individuals with heart failure (HF) have difficulty evaluating their symptoms, understanding when to seek health care, and implementing self-care activities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to inform the development of a heart failure action plan (HFAP) for individuals living with HF. This study used a prospective, descriptive qualitative design with a content analysis approach.

Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Trastuzumab targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Its overexpression occurs in 25% of breast cancers and is associated with aggressive tumor characteristics and poor prognosis in absence of targeted therapy. Trastuzumab dramatically improves HER2-positive breast cancer outcomes; however, its clinical use is associated with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.

Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Women With Breast Cancer.

Cardio-oncology is a rapidly developing field which seeks to improve patient outcomes through enhanced clinical and research collaboration across the disciplines of oncology and cardiology. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosis among women in the United States and, as decades of research have resulted in decreased mortality rates, there has been an increasing focus on reducing short- and long-term treatment toxicity and improving morbidity among survivors. Preexisting or emergent cardiovascular disease in a patient with BC requires a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to balance the need for curative cancer treatment while preventing increased cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

Use of complementary and alternative healthcare practices among persons served by a remote area medical clinic.

Remote rural communities are often without adequate healthcare resources. To address the need in one area of Appalachia, an annual medical clinic is held to provide free healthcare services to residents of Appalachia. The Appalachian culture has a number of unique features that influence the healthcare practices of persons living in this region.