117 A patient perspective of continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in heart failure

<h3>Background</h3> The fluctuating clinical course of heart failure results in high symptom burden and increasing frequency of hospital admissions as a patient approaches end-of-life, a time when care at home is often most desirable. The Cardiff and Vale Heart Failure Supportive Care Service, offers continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in the community, as an alternative to in-patient management of heart failure exacerbations. Our study aimed to explore patients experience of continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in the context of an integrated palliative and supportive care approach. <h3>Methods</h3> An exploratory qualitative approach was undertaken by conducting remote semi-structured interviews with ten patients who had received continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions under the care of the Cardiff and Vale Heart Failure Supportive Care Service. Conventional content Hsieh and Shannon analyses were used to derive key themes from interview transcripts. <h3>Results</h3> Patients recognised the value of continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in achieving preferred place of care; maintaining important relationships and human contact; supporting function and independence; promoting access to healthcare and enhancing quality-of-life. continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions device practicality was also acceptable and preferable to alternative in-patient management. Furthermore, patients also highlighted the benefits of continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in terms of efficiency and cost efficacy for the wider population and health services. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Despite ongoing research into the clinical efficacy, safety, and dosing regimens of novel continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions, there is a paucity of evidence outlining its application in clinical practice. We hope that our exploration of patients’ priorities, expectations, and experience of continuous subcutaneous furosemide infusions in the community will ensure that future guidelines and applications of this treatment are informed by those who will in turn benefit from them most.