Impact of a Telemedicine Program After a Heart Failure Hospitalization on 12 Months Follow-Up Events

Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Jun;48(6):101624. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101624. Epub 2023 Jan 29.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the safety, effectiveness, and usability of a mobile-app based follow up platform after a heart failure (HF) hospitalization. It was a pilot, prospective implementation study. 55 consecutive patients were included. Over 12 months, a significant increase in the use of renin angiotensin system inhibitors was observed (91% vs 76%, P < 0.04). Medication adherence, assessed by daily patient validation in the app was 96%. No relevant changes were found in biochemical evaluations. The parameters of app usability showed a high value. At 12 months follow-up one patient was hospitalized for HF (1/55 [1,8%]), there was no cardiovascular death, and 5 patients had non-cardiovascular deaths (5/55 [9.1%]). In patients recently discharged from HF hospitalization, the implementation of non-invasive telemedicine follow-up was feasible, safe and an effective strategy to increase the adherence to medical therapy. A high degree of clinical stability and a low rate of events were observed over 1-year.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure* / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure* / therapy
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Telemedicine*