What is the most accurate prognostic risk tool in predicting 1 year mortality from heart failure at specific clinically relevant thresholds?
The committee agreed that all-cause mortality was the appropriate outcome, rather than heart failure or cardiovascular mortality, in the context of the broad objectives of this review question. They were interested in which validated risk tools best identified patients with heart failure who are at increased risk of all-cause mortality in the short term (up to 1 year). The aim was to identify tools that may be used to support decisions about involvement of palliative care services and the use of palliative care processes. It was recognised that the risk of death was only one factor to consider in determining the need for palliative care services and processes, but that accurate prognostic tools would be of value in the identification and decision-making process.