Benefit of Ambulatory Management of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure by Protocolized Follow-Up Therapeutic Education and Remote Monitoring Solution: An Original Study in 159 Patients

Abstract

This study sought to determine whether the implementation of regular and structured follow-up of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), combined with therapeutic education and remote monitoring solution, leads to better management. This was a single-center retrospective study conducted in a cohort of patients with proven CHF who were followed up in the Mulhouse region (France) between January 2016 and December 2017 by the Unité de Suivi des Patients Insuffisants Cardiaques (USICAR) unit. These patients received regular protocolized follow-up, a therapeutic education program, and several used a telemedicine platform for a two-year period. The primary endpoint was the number of days hospitalized for heart failure (HF) per patient per year. The main secondary endpoints included the number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF and the number of hospital stays for HF per patient. These endpoints were collected during the year preceding enrollment, at one year of follow-up, and at two years of follow-up. The remote monitoring solution was evaluated on the same criterion. Overall, 159 patients with a mean age of 72.9 years were included in this study. They all had CHF, mainly NYHA Class I-II (88.7%), predominantly of ischemic origin (50.9%), and with altered left ventricular ejection fraction in 69.2% of cases. The mean number of days hospitalized for HF per patient per year was 8.33 (6.84–10.13) in the year preceding enrollment, 2.6 (1.51–4.47) at one year of follow-up, and 2.82 at two years of follow-up (1.30–6.11) (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). The mean number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF was 1.73 (1.16–2.6), 1.81 (1.04–3.16), and 1.32 (0.57–3.08), respectively (p = ns). The percentage of hospitalization for HF for each patient was 69.5% (60.2–77.4), 16.2% (10–25.2), and 19.3% (11–31.8), respectively (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). In the group telemedicine, the mean number of days hospitalized for HF per patient per year was 8.33 during the year preceding enrollment, 2.3 during the first year of follow-up, and 1.7 during the second. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). The “number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF” was significantly reduced in the group of patient’s beneficiating from the remote monitoring solution. This study demonstrates the value of a protocolized follow-up associated with a therapeutic optimization, therapeutic education program, and the use of a remote monitoring solution to improve the management of ambulatory patients with CHF, particularly of moderate severity.

Using technology to improve reconnection to remote monitoring in cardiac implantable electronic device patients

“… 5 However, in nearly 20% of patients, a disconnection occurs between the CIED and manufacturer’s central web server. 6 , 7 This is an important limitation of RM, which has not been well studied systematically. 7 , 8 It has been reported that the identification of patients with device connectivity issues alone can use up to 5 minutes per patient per year and patient calls regarding troubleshooting device connectivity up to 10 minutes per patient per year.…”

“… 6 , 7 This is an important limitation of RM, which has not been well studied systematically. 7 , 8 It has been reported that the identification of patients with device connectivity issues alone can use up to 5 minutes per patient per year and patient calls regarding troubleshooting device connectivity up to 10 minutes per patient per year. 9 We hypothesized that the use of short message service (SMS) would facilitate reconnection in these patients.…”

The Clinical Impact and Good Practices of Remote Patient Monitoring for Chronic Heart Failure: A French Case Report

“…3 Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a telehealth activity that has previously been shown to improve the management of chronic diseases. [4][5][6] Such practices enable healthcare professionals to remotely monitor and deliver care to patients as well as allow patient engagement and access to relevant health-related educational and support systems. In 2019, RPM was recommended for CHF.…”