| Title | Commentary on Masel et al. Predicting discharge of palliative care inpatients by measuring their heart rate variability. | ||
| Author | Thurston, Andrew; Arnold, Robert | ||
| Journal | Ann Palliat Med | Publication Year/Month | 2015-Jan |
| PMID | 25813419 | PMCID | -N/A- |
| Affiliation + expend | 1.Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medical Director of Palliative Care, UPMC-Mercy, UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute, UPMC Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics. UPMC Mercy Hospital, 1400 Locust Street, St. Ann Center #306, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. thurstonal@upmc.edu. | ||
The accurate determination of prognosis is a challenging and important aspect of end of life care. A more accurate prognosis provides patients and their families\' time to plan and prepare for the end of life, and prioritize care based on individual goals and values. While a number of prognostic tools and indices provide insight into a patient\'s general prognosis, the use of heart rate variability (HRV) as a predictor of live discharge from a palliative care unit (PCU) is a unique approach to exploring non-invasive ways for more accurate prognostication.