Abstract: Objective: To investigate the level of readiness and its influencing factors for Advance Care Planning (ACP) in patients with Chronic Heart Failure. Methods: A convenient sample of 190 patients with Chronic Heart Failure were enrolled from two tertiary hospitals in Ji'nan, between June and October in 2019. Patients completed the demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Advance Care Planning Readiness Scale and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised. Results: The mean score of ACP readiness among patients with Chronic Heart Failure was 76.10±8.86, which was above the medium level. Multiple regression analysis found that education level, religion, perceived quality of life, and attitudes toward death were the main factors influencing the level of ACP readiness among patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The level of ACP readiness in patients with Chronic Heart Failure is relatively high, with a considerably negative attitude towards death. Health care providers should strengthen educational components toward death and help patients establish a correct perception for death, therefore to further promote the acceptance and development of Advance Care Planning.

Key words: Chronic Heart Failure; Advance Care Planning; readiness; attitudes toward death