Metaanalysis and review of heart failure disease management randomized controlled clinical trials

Intensive therapeutic education strategy for patients with acute heart failure (EduStra-HF): Design of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is associated with reduced quality of life, hospitalizations, death and high healthcare costs. Despite care improvements, the rehospitalization rate after an acute heart failure episode, especially for acute heart failure, remains high.

METHODS

The Education Strategy for patients with acute Heart Failure (EduStra-HF; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03035123) study will randomize patients admitted for acute heart failure in six French hospitals to usual care (control) or therapeutic education (intervention). All patients will be evaluated at baseline and will meet with a therapeutic education nurse before discharge. Those in the usual care arm will have standard appointments with their cardiologist and general practitioner. Those in the intervention arm will have an intensive follow-up schedule of phone calls, home visits and text messages from the therapeutic education nurses, plus cardiologist visits. Patients will be stratified by discharge location (home or cardiac rehabilitation centre) before randomization, and will be followed up for 1 year. The primary outcome will be the readmission rates for acute heart failure during 1 year in the two groups. Secondary outcomes will include: quality of life; time from inclusion to first readmission for acute heart failure; non-heart failure cardiovascular rehospitalization rates; length of stay for heart failure; cardiovascular and all-cause death; rates of patients receiving optimal medical therapies; evolution of knowledge about heart failure; and cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will assess the efficacy and feasibility of a standardized management strategy for the care and follow-up of patients discharged after hospitalization for acute heart failure. The EduStra-HF strategy will combine various nurse care methods to help prevent rehospitalization.

Efficacy of disease management program used among patients with chronic heart failure: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A large number of studies have provided a variety of heart failure management program (HF-MP) intervention modes. It is generally believed that HF-MP is effective, but the question of which type of program works best, what level of support is needed for an intervention to be effective, and whether different subgroups of patients are best served by different types of programs is still confusing.

METHODS

This study will search for published and unpublished randomized clinical trials in English examining HF-MP interventions in comparison with usual care. MEDLINE, Medlin In-Process and Non-Indexed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO will be the databases. We will calibrate our eligibility criteria among the team. Each literature will be screened by at least two reviewers. Conflicts will be resolved through team discussion. A similar process will be used for data abstraction and quality appraisal. The results will be synthesized descriptively, and a network meta-analysis will be conducted if the studies are deemed methodologically, clinically, and statistically acceptable (e.g., I² < 50%). Moreover, potential moderators of efficacy will be analyzed using a meta-regression.

DISCUSSION

This study will reduce the clinical heterogeneity and statistical heterogeneity of review and meta-analysis through a more scientific classification method to determine the most effective HF-MP in different subgroups of heart failure patients with different human resource investments and different intervention methods, providing high-quality evidence and guidance for clinical practice.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021258521.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators and devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy: what perspective for patients' apps combined with remote monitoring?

INTRODUCTION

Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) allows rapid detection of clinical and electrical events. Recently, several smartphone applications have been developed with the aim of improving patient compliance and better interpreting and integrating data deriving from remote control for the management of heart failure (HF).

AREAS COVERED

Studies investigating the role of CIEDs' RM in HF patients to predict and early treat acute decompensation. The importance of new technologies and applications developed to provide crucial information to clinicians, to better manage HF patients.

EXPERT OPINION

New medical technologies and smartphone applications for CIEDs' RM were developed to help clinicians in the management of CIED carriers. Indeed, the accessibility of technological devices (e.g. smartphones) and the improvements in medical technology provide the opportunity to optimize HF patients' monitoring by the transmission of device-related data, and with direct involvement of patients themselves. Thanks to these advancements, physicians have the possibility to recognize worsening signs of HF and promptly optimize treatments to potentially avoid hospitalization. The great value of this approach is its potential of reducing scheduled in-office visits or unnecessary medical contacts and optimizing healthcare resources management.

Primary care practice-based care management for chronically ill patients (PraCMan) in German healthcare: Outcome of a propensity-score matched cohort study

Background

Growing prevalence of chronic diseases is a rising challenge for healthcare systems. The Primary Care Practice-Based Care Management (PraCMan) programme is a comprehensive disease management intervention in primary care in Germany aiming to improve medical care and to reduce potentially avoidable hospitalisations for chronically ill patients.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of PraCMan on hospitalisation rate and related costs.

Methods

A retrospective propensity-score matched cohort study was performed. Reimbursement data related to patients treated in general practices between 1st July 2013 and 31st December 2017 were supplied by a statutory health insurance company (AOK Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany) to compare hospitalisation rate and direct healthcare costs between patients participating in the PraCMan intervention and propensity-score matched controls following usual care. Outcomes were determined for the one-year-periods before and 12 months after beginning of participation in the intervention.

Results

In total, 6148 patients participated in the PraCMan intervention during the observation period and were compared to a propensity-score matched control group of 6148 patients from a pool of 63,446 eligible patients. In the one-year period after the intervention, the per-patient hospitalisation rate was 8.3% lower in the intervention group compared to control (p = 0.0004). Per-patient hospitalisation costs were 9.4% lower in favour of the intervention group (p = 0.0002).

Conclusion

This study showed that the PraCMan intervention may be associated with a lower rate of hospital admissions and hospitalisation costs than usual care. Further studies may assess long-term effects of PraCMan and its efficacy in preventing known complications of chronic diseases.

Physical Therapist Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Individuals With Heart Failure

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), in conjunction with the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section of APTA, have commissioned the development of this clinical practice guideline to assist physical therapists in their clinical decision making when managing patients with heart failure. Physical therapists treat patients with varying degrees of impairments and limitations in activity and participation associated with heart failure pathology across the continuum of care. This document will guide physical therapist practice in the examination and treatment of patients with a known diagnosis of heart failure. The development of this clinical practice guideline followed a structured process and resulted in 9 key action statements to guide physical therapist practice. The level and quality of available evidence were graded based on specific criteria to determine the strength of each action statement. Clinical algorithms were developed to guide the physical therapist in appropriate clinical decision making. Physical therapists are encouraged to work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in implementing these action statements to improve the activity, participation, and quality of life in individuals with heart failure and reduce the incidence of heart failure-related re-admissions.

Heart Failure Integrated Care Project: overcoming barriers encountered by primary health care providers in heart failure management

ObjectiveHeart failure (HF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A significant proportion of HF patients will have repeated hospital presentations. Effective integration between general practice and existing HF management programs may address some of the challenges in optimising care for this complex patient population. The Heart Failure Integrated Care Project (HFICP) investigated the barriers encountered by primary healthcare providers in providing care to patients with HF in the community. MethodsFive general practices in the St George and Sutherland regions (NSW, Australia) that employed practice nurses (PNs) were enrolled in the project. Participants responded to a printed survey that asked about their perceived role in the management of HF patients and their current knowledge and confidence in managing this condition. Participants also took part in a focus group meeting and were asked to identify barriers to improving HF patient management in general practice, and to offer suggestions about how the project could assist them to overcome those barriers. ResultsBarriers to effective delivery of HF management in general practice included clinical factors (consultation time limitations, underutilisation of patient management systems, identifying patients with HF, lack of patient self-care materials), professional factors (suboptimal hospital discharge summary letters, underutilisation of PNs), organisation factors (difficulties in communication with hospital staff, lack of education regarding HF management) and system issues (no Medicare rebate for B-type natriuretic peptide testing, insufficient Medicare rebate for using PN in chronic disease management). ConclusionsThe HFICP identified several barriers to improving integrated management for HF patients in the Australian setting. These findings provide important insights into how an HF integrated care model can be implemented to strengthen the working relationship between hospitals and primary care providers in delivering better care to HF patients. What is known about the topic?Multidisciplinary HF programs are heterogeneous in their structures, they have low patient participation rates and a significant proportion of HF patients have further presentations to hospital with HF. Integrating the care of HF patients into the primary care system following hospital admission remains challenging. What does this paper add?This paper identified several factors that hinder the effective delivery of care by primary care providers to patients with HF. What are the implications for practitioners?The findings provide important insights into how an HF integrated care model can be implemented to strengthen the working relationship between tertiary health facilities and primary care providers in delivering better care to HF patients.

[Efficacy of a multidisciplinary care management program for patients admitted at hospital because of heart failure (ProMIC)]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of the ProMIC, multidisciplinary program for patients admitted at hospital because of heart failure (HF) programme, in reducing the HF-related readmission rate.

DESING

Quasi-experimental research with control group.

SETTINGS

Twelve primary health care centres and 3 hospitals from the Basque Country.

PARTICIPANTS

Aged 40 years old or above patients admitted for HF with a New York Heart Association functional class II to IV.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients in the intervention group carried out the ProMIC programme, a structured clinical intervention based on clinical guidelines and on the chronic care model. Control group received usual care.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

The rate of readmission for HF and health-related quality of life RESULTS: One hundred fifty five patients were included in ProMIC group and 129 in control group. 45 rehospitalisation due to heart failure happened in ProMIC versus 75 in control group (adjusted hazard ratio=0.59, CI 95%: 0.36-0.98; P=.049). There were significant differences in specific quality of life al 6 months. No significant differences were found in rehospitalisation due to all causes, due to cardiovascular causes, visits to emergency room, mortality, the combined variable of these events, the functional capacity or quality of life at 12 months of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

ProMIC reduces significantly heart failure rehospitalisation and improve quality of life al 6 months of follow up. No significant differences were found in the rests of variables.

Preventable Hospital Admissions and 30-Day All-Cause Readmissions: Does Hospital Participation in Accountable Care Organizations Improve Quality of Care?

This study evaluates quality performance of hospitals participating in Medicare Shared Savings and Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) programs relative to nonparticipating hospitals. Overall, 198 ACO participating and 1210 propensity score matched, nonparticipating hospitals were examined in a difference-in-difference analysis, using data from 17 states in the years 2010-2013. The authors studied preventable hospitalizations for conditions sensitive to high-quality ambulatory care-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, chronic heart failure (CHF), complications of diabetes-and 30-day all-cause readmissions potentially influenced by hospital care. A decrease was found in preventable hospitalizations for COPD and asthma and for diabetes complications for ACO participating hospitals, but no significant differences for preventable CHF hospitalizations and 30-day readmissions. Mixed results may be attributable to insufficient incentives for ACO participating hospitals to decrease 30-day readmissions, whereas disease-focused initiatives may have a beneficial effect on preventable hospitalizations for COPD and asthma and complications of diabetes.

Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Heart Failure in Patients With Cancer While Undergoing Cancer Treatment: The MD Anderson Practice

Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity resulting in heart failure (HF) is one of the most dreaded complications of cancer therapy that can significantly impact morbidity and mortality. With a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients, the risk of developing HF is significantly increased. A new discipline of Onco-Cardiology has evolved to address the cardiovascular needs of patients with cancer, however, there is limited evidence-based data to guide clinical decision-making in the management of the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy. The department of cardiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center initiated the MD Anderson Practice (MAP) project and developed algorithms to guide the management of the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy. For chemotherapy-induced HF, we initiated the Heart Success Program (HSP), a patient-centered program that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration for the management of concurrent HF resulting from chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. After one year of HSP implementation, compliance with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services HF core measures has significantly improved. The measurement of LVEF and initiation of recommended pharmacologic therapy for HF (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACE-I] or angiotensin receptor blocker for ACE-I intolerant patients) has improved to 100%; provision of discharge instruction has improved from 50 to 94%; and the 30-day hospital readmission rate decreased from 40 to 27%. This article will describe the MD Anderson Practice in the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy and HF in cancer patients through the HSP. The novelty of the HSP has raised clinician's awareness of the magnitude of the clinical problem of HF in cancer and the.

Improving kNowledge Transfer to Efficaciously RAise the level of Contemporary Treatment in Heart Failure (INTERACT-in-HF): Study protocol of a mixed methods study

Heart failure is a complex disease with poor outcome. This complexity may prevent care providers from covering all aspects of care. This could not only be relevant for individual patient care, but also for care organisation. Disease management programmes applying a multidisciplinary approach are recommended to improve heart failure care. However, there is a scarcity of research considering how disease management programme perform, in what form they should be offered, and what care and support patients and care providers would benefit most. Therefore, the Improving kNowledge Transfer to Efficaciously Raise the level of Contemporary Treatment in Heart Failure (INTERACT-in-HF) study aims to explore the current processes of heart failure care and to identify factors that may facilitate and factors that may hamper heart failure care and guideline adherence. Within a cross-sectional mixed method design in three regions of the North-West part of Europe, patients (n = 88) and their care providers (n = 59) were interviewed. Prior to the in-depth interviews, patients were asked to complete three questionnaires: The Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge scale, The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale and The global health status and social economic status. In parallel, retrospective data based on records from these (n = 88) and additional patients (n = 82) are reviewed. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for analysis.

Effectiveness and Factors Determining the Success of Management Programs for Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Heart failure management programs reduce hospitalizations. Some studies also show reduced mortality. The determinants of program success are unknown. The aim of the present study was to update our understanding of the reductions in mortality and readmissions produced by these programs, elucidate their components, and identify the factors determining program success.

METHODS

Systematic literature review (1990-2014; PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant journals. The studies were selected by 3 independent reviewers. Methodological quality was evaluated in a blinded manner by an external researcher (Jadad scale). These results were pooled using random effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I² statistic, and its explanatory factors were determined using metaregression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 3914 studies identified, 66 randomized controlled clinical trials were selected (18 countries, 13 535 patients). We determined the relative risks to be 0.88 for death (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.81-0.96; P < .002; I², 6.1%), 0.92 for all-cause readmissions (95%CI, 0.86-0.98; P < .011; I², 58.7%), and 0.80 for heart failure readmissions (95%CI, 0.71-0.90; P < .0001; I², 52.7%). Factors associated with program success were implementation after 2001, program location outside the United States, greater baseline use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, a higher number of intervention team members and components, specialized heart failure cardiologists and nurses, protocol-driven education and its assessment, self-monitoring of signs and symptoms, detection of deterioration, flexible diuretic regimen, early care-seeking among patients and prompt health care response, psychosocial intervention, professional coordination, and program duration.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirm the reductions in mortality and readmissions with heart failure management programs. Their success is associated with various structural and intervention variables.

Long-term cost-effectiveness of home versus clinic-based management of chronic heart failure: the WHICH? study

BACKGROUND

The cost-effectiveness of a heart failure management intervention can be further informed by incorporating the expected benefits and costs of future survival.

METHODS

This study compared the long-term costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from home-based (HBI) vs specialist clinic-based intervention (CBI) among elderly patients (mean age = 71 years) with heart failure discharged home (mean intervention duration = 12 months). Cost-utility analysis was conducted from a government-funded health system perspective. A Markov cohort model was used to simulate disease progression over 15 years based on initial data from a randomized clinical trial (the WHICH? study). Time-dependent hazard functions were modeled using the Weibull function, and this was compared against an alternative model where the hazard was assumed to be constant over time. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify the key drivers of cost-effectiveness and quantify uncertainty in the results.

RESULTS

During the trial, mortality was the highest within 30 days of discharge and decreased thereafter in both groups, although the declining rate of mortality was slower in CBI than HBI. At 15 years (extrapolated), HBI was associated with slightly better health outcomes (mean of 0.59 QALYs gained) and mean additional costs of AU$13,876 per patient. The incremental cost-utility ratio and the incremental net monetary benefit (vs CBI) were AU$23,352 per QALY gained and AU$15,835, respectively. The uncertainty was driven by variability in the costs and probabilities of readmissions. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed HBI had a 68% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of AU$50,000 per QALY.

CONCLUSION

Compared with CBI (outpatient specialized HF clinic-based intervention), HBI (home-based predominantly, but not exclusively) could potentially be cost-effective over the long-term in elderly patients with heart failure at a willingness-to-pay threshold of AU$50,000/QALY, albeit with large uncertainty.

Recommendations for the Implementation of Telehealth in Cardiovascular and Stroke Care: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association

The aim of this policy statement is to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence evaluating the use of telemedicine in cardiovascular and stroke care and to provide consensus policy suggestions. We evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth in advancing healthcare quality, identify legal and regulatory barriers that impede telehealth adoption or delivery, propose steps to overcome these barriers, and identify areas for future research to ensure that telehealth continues to enhance the quality of cardiovascular and stroke care. The result of these efforts is designed to promote telehealth models that ensure better patient access to high-quality cardiovascular and stroke care while striving for optimal protection of patient safety and privacy.

Expert Comment: Is Medication Titration in Heart Failure too Complex?

Large-scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and beta-blockers decrease mortality and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure (HF) associated with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This has led to high prescription rates; however, these drugs are generally prescribed at much lower doses than the doses achieved in the RCTs. A number of strategies have been evaluated to improve medication titration in HF, including forced medication up-titration protocols, point-of-care decision support and extended scope of clinical practice for nurses and pharmacists. Most successful strategies have been multifaceted and have adapted existing multidisciplinary models of care. Furthermore, given the central role of general practitioners in long-term monitoring and care coordination in HF patients, these strategies should engage with primary care to facilitate the transition between the acute and primary healthcare sectors.

What is the impact of systems of care for heart failure on patients diagnosed with heart failure: a systematic review

Background

Hospital admissions for heart failure are predicted to rise substantially over the next decade placing increasing pressure on the health care system. There is an urgent need to redesign systems of care for heart failure to improve evidence-based practice and create seamless transitions through the continuum of care. The aim of the review was to examine systems of care for heart failure that reduce hospital readmissions and/or mortality.

Method

Electronic databases searched were: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, grey literature, reviewed bibliographies and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies from 1^st January 2008 to 4^th August 2015. Inclusion criteria for studies were: English language, randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies of systems of care for patients diagnosed with heart failure and aimed at reducing hospital readmissions and/or mortality.

Three reviewer authors independently assessed articles for eligibility based on title and abstract and then full-text. Quality of evidence was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-randomised trials and GRADE rating tool for randomised controlled trials.

Results

We included 29 articles reporting on systems of care in the workforce, primary care, in-hospital, transitional care, outpatients and telemonitoring. Several studies found that access to a specialist heart failure team/service reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In primary care, a collaborative model of care where the primary physician shared the care with a cardiologist, improved patient outcomes compared to a primary physician only. During hospitalisation, quality improvement programs improved the quality of inpatient care resulting in reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In the transitional care phase, heart failure programs, nurse-led clinics, and early outpatient follow-up reduced hospital readmissions. There was a lack of evidence as to the efficacy of telemonitoring with many studies finding conflicting evidence.

Conclusion

Redesigning systems of care aimed at improving the translation of evidence into clinical practice and transitional care can potentially improve patient outcomes in a cohort of patients known for high readmission rates and mortality.

Improving Heart Failure Outcomes in Ambulatory and Community Care: A Scoping Study

Despite a large body of literature testing interventions to improve heart failure care, care is often suboptimal. This scoping study assesses organizational interventions to improve heart failure outcomes in ambulatory settings. Fifty-two studies and systematic reviews assessing multicomponent, self-management support, and eHealth interventions were included. Studies dating from the 1990s demonstrated that multicomponent interventions could reduce hospitalizations, readmissions, mortality, and costs and improve quality of life. Self-management support appeared more effective when included in multicomponent interventions. The independent contribution of eHealth interventions remains unclear. No studies addressed management of comorbidities, geriatric syndromes, frailty, or end of life care. Few studies addressed risk stratification or vulnerable populations. Limited reporting about intervention components, implementation methods, and fidelity presents challenges in adapting this literature to scale interventions. The use of standardized reporting guidelines and study designs that produce more contextual evidence would better enable application of this work in health system redesign.

Nurse Educational Activity on Non-Prescription Therapies in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Notwithstanding the polypharmacy required for heart failure therapy, many patients use non-prescription therapies, including alternative medicines, herbal remedies, integrators and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

AIMS

Non-prescription therapies could interfere with heart failure therapy, both promoting non-compliance and through pharmacological interferences. Heart failure nurses, in order to plan their educational activity, need to known about the use of therapies other than prescription.

METHODS

The use of non-prescription therapies was assessed by a structured interview in 153 chronic patients with heart failure.

RESULTS

Only 15.7% patients exclusively used medicines prescribed by their physicians. Alternative medicine use was not frequent (5.8%), herbal remedies (21.3%) and integrators (20.9%) were more used; OTC drugs were most common, with 75.8% use. Patients were often unaware of possible interaction with heart failure therapies, and seldom informed physician of use.

CONCLUSIONS

Advice about drugs avoidance is emphasized by heart failure guidelines, and is part of the nurse educational activity. More attention should be paid to OTC drug assessment and education since their use is common.

Team-Based Care for Outpatients with Heart Failure

Management of heart failure requires a multidisciplinary team-based approach that includes coordination of numerous team members to ensure guideline-directed optimization of medical therapy, frequent and regular assessment of volume status, frequent education, use of cardiac rehabilitation, continued assessment for the use of advanced therapies, and advance care planning. All of these are important aspects of the management of this complex condition.

Prescribing and up-titration in recently hospitalized heart failure patients attending a disease management program

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) medications improve clinical outcomes, with optimal doses defined in clinical trials. Patient, provider and system barriers may limit achievement of optimal doses in real life settings, although disease management programs (HF-DMPs) can facilitate up-titration.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of 216 participants recently hospitalized with systolic HF, attending 5 HF-DMPs in Queensland, Australia. Medication history at baseline (6weeks after discharge) and 6months provided data to describe prescription rates, dosage and optimal titration of HF medications, and associations with patient and system factors were explored. At baseline, 94% were on an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB), 94% on a beta-blocker (BB) and 42% on a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). The proportion of participants on optimal doses of ACEI/ARB increased from 38% (baseline) to 52% (6months, p=0.001) and on optimal BB dose from 23% to 49% (p<0.001). Significant barriers to ACEI/ARB up-titration were body mass index (BMI)<25, female gender, polypharmacy, previously diagnosed HF, and tertiary hospital. Significant barriers for BB up-titration were BMI<25, previously diagnosed HF and non-cardiologist care.

CONCLUSIONS

Effective up-titration in HF DMPs is influenced by patient, disease and service factors. Better understanding of barriers to effective up-titration in women, normal weight, and established HF patients may help provide targeted strategies for improving outcomes in these groups.

Establishing a pragmatic framework to optimise health outcomes in heart failure and multimorbidity (ARISE-HF): A multidisciplinary position statement

Background

Multimorbidity in heart failure (HF), defined as HF of any aetiology and multiple concurrent conditions that require active management, represents an emerging problem within the ageing HF patient population worldwide.

Methods

To inform this position paper, we performed: 1) an initial review of the literature identifying the ten most common conditions, other than hypertension and ischaemic heart disease, complicating the management of HF (anaemia, arrhythmias, cognitive dysfunction, depression, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, renal dysfunction, respiratory disease, sleep disorders and thyroid disease) and then 2) a review of the published literature describing the association between HF with each of the ten conditions. From these data we describe a clinical framework, comprising five key steps, to potentially improve historically poor health outcomes in this patient population.

Results

We identified five key steps (ARISE-HF) that could potentially improve clinical outcomes if applied in a systematic manner: 1) Acknowledge multimorbidity as a clinical syndrome that is associated with poor health outcomes, 2) Routinely profile (using a standardised protocol — adapted to the local health care system) all patients hospitalised with HF to determine the extent of concurrent multimorbidity, 3) Identify individualised priorities and person-centred goals based on the extent and nature of multimorbidity, 4) Support individualised, home-based, multidisciplinary, case management to supplement standard HF management, and 5) Evaluate health outcomes well beyond acute hospitalisation and encompass all-cause events and a person-centred perspective in affected individuals.

Conclusions

We propose ARISE-HF as a framework for improving typically poor health outcomes in those affected by multimorbidity in HF.

Technology-assisted congestive heart failure care

The interface between eHealth technologies and disease management in chronic conditions such as chronic heart failure (CHF) has advanced beyond the research domain. The substantial morbidity, mortality, health resource utilization and costs imposed by chronic disease, accompanied by increasing prevalence, complex comorbidities and changing client and health staff demographics, have pushed the boundaries of eHealth to alleviate costs whilst maintaining services. Whilst the intentions are laudable and the technology is appealing, this nonetheless requires careful scrutiny. This review aims to describe this technology and explore the current evidence and measures to enhance its implementation.

Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations for Congestive Heart Failure Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i

Many congestive heart failure (CHF) hospitalizations are considered potentially preventable with access to high-quality primary care. Some Asian American and Pacific Islander groups have poor access to health care compared to Whites, yet CHF preventable hospitalizations are understudied in these groups. Hawai'i hospitalizations from December 2006 to December 2010 for Chinese, Japanese, Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Whites aged 18+ years were considered (N = 245,435). CHF preventable hospitalizations were compared in multivariable models by age group (<65 vs. 65+) and gender. Native Hawaiians and Filipinos with CHF preventable hospitalizations were significantly (p < 0.001) younger than other racial/ethnic groups. In adjusted models, Native Hawaiians and Filipinos of all age and gender combinations had significantly higher CHF hospitalization rates than Whites as did Chinese women 65+. High preventable CHF hospitalization rates are seen in some Asian and Pacific Islander groups, especially Native Hawaiians and Filipinos, who have these hospitalizations at younger ages than other studied groups.

Cost-effectiveness of home versus clinic-based management of chronic heart failure: Extended follow-up of a pragmatic, multicentre randomized trial cohort - The WHICH? study (Which Heart Failure Intervention Is Most Cost-Effective & Consumer Friendly in Reducing Hospital Care)

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of two multidisciplinary management programs for elderly patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure (CHF) and how it is influenced by patient characteristics.

METHODS

A trial-based analysis was conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial of 280 elderly patients with CHF discharged to home from three Australian tertiary hospitals. Two interventions were compared: home-based intervention (HBI) that involved home visiting with community-based care versus specialized clinic-based intervention (CBI). Bootstrapped incremental cost-utility ratios were computed based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and total healthcare costs. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were constructed based on incremental net monetary benefit (NMB). We performed multiple linear regression to explore which patient characteristics may impact patient-level NMB.

RESULTS

During median follow-up of 3.2 years, HBI was associated with slightly higher QALYs (+0.26 years per person; p=0.078) and lower total healthcare costs (AU$ -13,100 per person; p=0.025) mainly driven by significantly reduced duration of all-cause hospital stay (-10 days; p=0.006). At a willingness-to-pay threshold of AU$ 50,000 per additional QALY, the probability of HBI being better-valued was 96% and the incremental NMB of HBI was AU$ 24,342 (discounted, 5%). The variables associated with increased NMB were HBI (vs. CBI), lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, no hyponatremia, fewer months of HF, fewer prior HF admissions <1 year and a higher patient's self-care confidence. HBI's net benefit further increased in those with fewer comorbidities, a lower self-care confidence or no hyponatremia.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CBI, HBI is likely to be cost-effective in elderly CHF patients with significant comorbidity.

A Mobile Health Intervention Supporting Heart Failure Patients and Their Informal Caregivers: A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Background

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may improve heart failure (HF) self-care, but standard models do not address informal caregivers’ needs for information about the patient’s status or how the caregiver can help.

Objective

We evaluated mHealth support for caregivers of HF patients over and above the impact of a standard mHealth approach.

Methods

We identified 331 HF patients from Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics. All patients identified a “CarePartner” outside their household. Patients randomized to “standard mHealth” (n=165) received 12 months of weekly interactive voice response (IVR) calls including questions about their health and self-management. Based on patients’ responses, they received tailored self-management advice, and their clinical team received structured fax alerts regarding serious health concerns. Patients randomized to “mHealth+CP” (n=166) received an identical intervention, but with automated emails sent to their CarePartner after each IVR call, including feedback about the patient’s status and suggestions for how the CarePartner could support disease care. Self-care and symptoms were measured via 6- and 12-month telephone surveys with a research associate. Self-care and symptom data also were collected through the weekly IVR assessments.

Results

Participants were on average 67.8 years of age, 99% were male (329/331), 77% where white (255/331), and 59% were married (195/331). During 15,709 call-weeks of attempted IVR assessments, patients completed 90% of their calls with no difference in completion rates between arms. At both endpoints, composite quality of life scores were similar across arms. However, more mHealth+CP patients reported taking medications as prescribed at 6 months (8.8% more, 95% CI 1.2-16.5, P=.02) and 12 months (13.8% more, CI 3.7-23.8, P<.01), and 10.2% more mHealth+CP patients reported talking with their CarePartner at least twice per week at the 6-month follow-up (P=.048). mHealth+CP patients were less likely to report negative emotions during those interactions at both endpoints (both P<.05), were consistently more likely to report taking medications as prescribed during weekly IVR assessments, and also were less likely to report breathing problems or weight gains (all P<.05). Among patients with more depressive symptoms at enrollment, those randomized to mHealth+CP were more likely than standard mHealth patients to report excellent or very good general health during weekly IVR calls.

Conclusions

Compared to a relatively intensive model of IVR monitoring, self-management assistance, and clinician alerts, a model including automated feedback to an informal caregiver outside the household improved HF patients’ medication adherence and caregiver communication. mHealth+CP may also decrease patients’ risk of HF exacerbations related to shortness of breath and sudden weight gains. mHealth+CP may improve quality of life among patients with greater depressive symptoms. Weekly health and self-care monitoring via mHealth tools may identify intervention effects in mHealth trials that go undetected using typical, infrequent retrospective surveys.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00555360; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00555360 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Z4Tsk78B).

A health education booklet and telephone follow-ups can improve medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and psychological status of patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is an increasing public health problem globally. Interventions are imperative in managing the disease.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effectiveness of a health education booklet and telephone follow-ups on patients' medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and psychological status.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty heart failure patients were assigned to either the experimental group (health education booklet and telephone follow-ups) or the control group (usual care). An independent t-test and the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model were used to compare the differences in the study outcomes. The statistical tests were two-sided and a p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The patients in the experimental group showed greater improvement throughout the study period compared with those in the control group regarding all the study outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provided clues for healthcare professionals to develop interventions while undertaking clinical work with limited resources in China.

Outcome of Patients Discharged From a Heart Failure Disease Management Program following Their Clinical and Echocardiographic Recovery

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Heart failure (HF) is associated with high mortality and frequent hospitalizations. Disease management programs (DMPs) have a favorable impact on patients with HF. No data exist regarding the outcomes of patients discharged from such a program. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We examined the outcome of patients with severe systolic HF who were discharged from a DMP following full clinical and echocardiographic recovery. Data were reviewed for mortality, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, medication adherence and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). <b><i>Results:</i></b> At enrollment and discharge, the mean EF was 19 and 53%, respectively. At follow-up 46.2 months after discharge, 56% of patients had been to the emergency room, 34% were hospitalized a total of 41 times and 20% had died. In the patients who required hospitalization for HF, the mean EF upon rehospitalization had dropped to 23.4%. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Many patients with initially severe systolic HF who had an almost full recovery in a multidisciplinary DMP had very poor outcomes once they were discharged from the program. It may be appropriate to revisit the practice of discharging patients from DMPs once they have reached a specific clinical target.

FRAIL-HF, a study to evaluate the clinical complexity of heart failure in nondependent older patients: rationale, methods and baseline characteristics

The clinical scenario of heart failure (HF) in older hospitalized patients is complex and influenced by acute and chronic comorbidities, coexistent geriatric syndromes, the patient's ability for self-care after discharge, and degree of social support. The impact of all these factors on clinical outcomes or disability evolution is not sufficiently known. FRAIL-HF is a prospective observational cohort study designed to evaluate clinical outcomes (mortality and readmission), functional evolution, quality of life, and use of social resources at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after admission in nondependent elderly patients hospitalized for HF. Clinical features, medical treatment, self-care ability, and health literacy were prospectively evaluated and a comprehensive geriatric assessment with special focus on frailty was systematically performed in hospital to assess interactions and relationships with postdischarge outcomes. Between May 2009 and May 2011, 450 consecutive patients with a mean age of 80 ± 6 years were enrolled. Comorbidity was high (mean Charlson index, 3.4 ± 2.9). Despite being nondependent, 118 (26%) had minor disability for basic activities of daily living, only 76 (16.2%) had no difficulty in walking 400 meters, and 340 (75.5%) were living alone or with another elderly person. In addition, 316 patients (70.2%) fulfilled frailty criteria. Even nondependent older patients hospitalized for HF show a high prevalence of clinical and nonclinical factors that may influence prognosis and are usually not considered in routine clinical practice. The results of FRAIL-HF will provide important information about the relationship between these factors and different postdischarge clinical, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes.

Telecardiology application in jordan: its impact on diagnosis and disease management, patients' quality of life, and time- and cost-savings

Objectives. To assess the impact of live interactive telecardiology on diagnosis and disease management, patients' quality of life, and time- and cost-savings. Methods. All consecutive patients who attended or were referred to the teleclinics for suspected cardiac problems in two hospitals in remote areas of Jordan during the study period were included in the study. Patients were interviewed for relevant information and their quality of life was assessed during the first visit and 8 weeks after the last visit. Results. A total of 76 patients were included in this study. Final diagnosis and treatment plan were established as part of the telecardiology consultations in 71.1% and 77.3% of patients, respectively. Patients' travel was avoided for 38 (50.0%) who were managed locally. The majority of patients perceived that the visit to the telecardiology clinic results in less travel time (96.1%), less waiting time (98.1%), and lower cost (100.0%). Telecardiology consultations resulted in an improvement in the quality of life after two months of the first visit. Conclusions. Telecardiology care in remote areas of Jordan would improve the access to health care, help to reach proper diagnosis and establish the treatment plan, and improve the quality of life.

Rationale and design of the GUIDE-IT study: Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment in Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES

The GUIDE-IT (Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment in Heart Failure) study is designed to determine the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of a strategy of adjusting therapy with the goal of achieving and maintaining a target N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level of <1,000 pg/ml compared with usual care in high-risk patients with systolic heart failure (HF).

BACKGROUND

Elevations in natriuretic peptide (NP) levels provide key prognostic information in patients with HF. Therapies proven to improve outcomes in patients with HF are generally associated with decreasing levels of NPs, and observational data show that decreases in NP levels over time are associated with favorable outcomes. Results from smaller prospective, randomized studies of this strategy thus far have been mixed, and current guidelines do not recommend serial measurement of NP levels to guide therapy in patients with HF.

METHODS

GUIDE-IT is a prospective, randomized, controlled, unblinded, multicenter clinical trial designed to randomize approximately 1,100 high-risk subjects with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) to either usual care (optimized guideline-recommended therapy) or a strategy of adjusting therapy with the goal of achieving and maintaining a target NT-proBNP level of <1,000 pg/ml. Patients in either arm of the study are followed up at regular intervals and after treatment adjustments for a minimum of 12 months. The primary endpoint of the study is time to cardiovascular death or first hospitalization for HF. Secondary endpoints include time to cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality, cumulative mortality, health-related quality of life, resource use, cost-effectiveness, and safety.

CONCLUSIONS

The GUIDE-IT study is designed to definitively assess the effects of an NP-guided strategy in high-risk patients with systolic HF on clinically relevant endpoints of mortality, hospitalization, quality of life, and medical resource use. (Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment in Heart Failure [GUIDE-IT]; NCT01685840).

Standardized protocols enable stroke recognition and early treatment of carotid stenosis

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effect of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) care coordination between vascular surgery and stroke neurology services with primary focus on acute patient stabilization and expeditious carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

METHODS

A standardized AIS protocol was instituted between vascular surgery and stroke neurology services in an academic hospital (group I) that included: (1) rapid patient evaluation and imaging inclusive of brain and carotid computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography, carotid duplex ultrasound imaging or conventional arteriogram, or both; (2) patient admission to a dedicated stroke unit with minimum 1:2 intensive care nurse-to-patient staffing and a 24-hour available neurointensivist; (3) treatment of all patients with ipsilateral moderate or severe carotid stenosis by CEA with cervical block (158 [81%]) or general anesthesia (38 [19%]). Patient exclusion from undergoing expeditious CEA included (1) stroke in evolution, and (2) dense neurologic deficit or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >15 (severe), or both. Comparisons of data were performed between group I patients and those treated in outlying hospitals (group II) for similar indications. All data were prospectively collected in a computerized database and outcomes evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

From November 2002 to November 2012, 369 patients underwent CEA for AIS ≤1 week of presentation. There were 192 patients in group I and 177 in group II. There were no differences in group I and II in mean stroke-to-CEA interval (3.4 vs 3.9 days) or in the performance of eversion CEA (94% vs 97%), respectively. Intraoperative shunt use was greater in group I (28%) than in group II (18%; P = .021). Fewer total neurologic events (stroke or transient ischemic attack) occurred in group I (6 [3.1%] vs 14 [7.3%]; P = .03). No patients died in either group. Postoperative National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores available in group I patients showed improvement from preoperative baseline in mild and moderate stroke patients (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stable acute stroke, early CEA is feasible and relatively safe. Stroke or death occurs in only 1%, and most complications are of nonfatal cardiac origin. A standardized stroke team protocol that is inclusive of stroke neurologists and vascular surgeons allows for expeditious and safe CEA in the setting of an acute stroke.

Heart failure in South Asia

South Asia (SA) is both the most populous and the most densely populated geographical region in the world. The countries in this region are undergoing epidemiological transition and are facing the double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Heart failure (HF) is a major and increasing burden all over the world. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of HF in SA today and its impact in the health system of the countries in the region. There are no reliable estimates of incidence and prevalence of HF (heart failure) from this region.

The prevalence of HF which is predominantly a disease of the elderly is likely to rise in this region due to the growing age of the population. Patients admitted with HF in the SA region are relatively younger than their western counterparts. The etiology of HF in this region is also different from the western world. Untreated congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease still contribute significantly to the burden of HF in this region. Due to epidemiological transition, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking is on the rise in this region. This is likely to escalate the prevalence of HF in South Asia.

We also discuss potential developments in the field of HF management likely to occur in the nations in South Asia. Finally, we discuss the interventions for prevention of HF in this region

Reducing mortality in hip fracture patients using a perioperative approach and "Patient- Centered Medical Home" model: a prospective cohort study

Background

Hip fracture patients experience high morbidity and mortality rates in the first post-operative year after discharge. We compared mortality, utilization, costs, pain and function between two prospective cohorts of hip fracture patients, both managed with identical perioperative protocols and one group subsequently managed via a “Patient-Centered Medical Home” (PCMH) primary care management model.

Methods

We analyzed 6 and 12-month outcomes from two matched cohorts of patients who were surgically treated for hip fracture from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 at two hospitals (n = 194). Controls did not receive PCMH and were matched to cases on surgery date, sex, age, and comorbidities. Mortality and healthcare utilization were the primary outcomes studied, with medical costs, quality of life, pain and function at 12 months assessed as secondary outcomes in a subgroup. Survival analysis, regression and Student-t testing were used with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results

At 6 months, PCMH patients had significantly lower mortality than patients receiving standard care (11% vs. 26%, p < 0.01). At 12 months, a difference persisted (23% vs. 30%, p = 0.12) but was no longer statistically significant. Mean quality of life scores were similar (0.73 vs. 0.76, p = 0.49) and Harris Hip score was slightly improved for PCMH (73 vs. 64, p = 0.04). Mean costs per patient per month were lower for PCMH but not significantly different ($69 vs. $141, p = 0.20 for pharmacy costs; $1212 vs. $1452, p = 0.45 for non-pharmacy costs).

Conclusions

Patients receiving aggressive post-discharge care from a PCMH program showed significant benefits in terms of reduced mortality at 6 months, with similar costs and functional outcomes at 12 months. PCMH was not shown to improve all outcomes studied, but these results suggest that ongoing Medical Home management can have some benefit for patients without negatively impacting function or cost.

Implementing guideline based heart failure care in the Northern Territory: challenges and solutions

The Northern Territory of Australia is a vast area serviced by two major tertiary hospitals. It has both a unique demography and geography, which pose challenges for delivering optimal heart failure services. The prevalence of congestive heart failure continues to increase, imposing a significant burden on health infrastructure and health care costs. Specific patient groups suffer disproportionately from increased disease severity or service related issues often represented as a "health care gap". The syndrome itself is characterised by ongoing symptoms interspersed with acute decompensation requiring lifelong therapy and is rarely reversible. For the individual client the overwhelming attention to heart failure care and the impact of health care gaps can be devastating. This gap may also contribute to widening socio-economic differentials for families and communities as they seek to take on some of the care responsibilities. This review explores the challenges of heart failure best practice in the Northern Territory and the opportunities to improve on service delivery. The discussions highlighted could have implications for health service delivery throughout regional centres in Australia and health systems in other countries.

Acute decompensated heart failure: update on new and emerging evidence and directions for future research

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a complex clinical event associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Managing ADHF patients is challenging because of the lack of effective treatments that both reduce symptoms and improve clinical outcomes. Existing guideline recommendations are largely based on expert opinion, but several recently published trials have yielded important data to inform both current clinical practice and future research directions. New insight has been gained regarding volume management, including dosing strategies for intravenous loop diuretics and the role of ultrafiltration in patients with heart failure and renal dysfunction. Although the largest ADHF trial to date (ASCEND-HF, using nesiritide) was neutral, promising results with other investigational agents have been reported. If these findings are confirmed in phase III trials, novel compounds, such as relaxin, omecamtiv mecarbil, and ularitide, among others, may become therapeutic options. Translation of research findings into quality clinical care can not be overemphasized. Although many gaps in knowledge exist, ongoing studies will address issues around delivery of evidence-based care to achieve the goal of improving the health status and clinical outcomes of patients with ADHF.

Effectiveness of a multidimensional home nurse led heart failure disease management program--a French nationwide time-series comparison

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a disease management program (DMP) in heart failure (HF) on the incidence of HF hospitalizations and related costs in a real-world population-based setting.

METHODS

Insuffisance CArdiaque en LORraine (ICALOR), a DMP for HF was established in 2006 in the French region of Lorraine. Patients were enrolled after an index HF hospitalization. They received educational and home-visit monitoring programs by HF-trained nurses. General physicians received automatic alerts about patients' significant clinical or biological changes. We used the ICALOR and the national diagnostic related group databases to conduct a comparison of time-series trends in HF hospitalizations in France. The economic impact was obtained using the national scale of costs in France.

RESULTS

The median age of the 1222 patients recruited before 2010 was 76 years, and 65% were male. Upon enrollment, patients essentially presented with NYHA class II (n=537, 48%) or class III (n=359, 32%) symptoms. One-year mortality rate was 20.3%. The implementation of the ICALOR program was associated with a reduction in HF hospitalizations in Lorraine estimated by an absolute difference between the number of hospitalizations observed in the Lorraine region and that expected had it been similar to that observed in the whole country of -7.19% in 2010. The estimated annual hospital cost saved by ICALOR was €1,927,648 in 2010.

CONCLUSION

Coordinated DMP of HF might improve outcome cost-effectively when implemented in a real-world population setting, and was associated in Lorraine with a substantial modification of the trend of HF hospitalizations.

Home telemonitoring study for Japanese patients with heart failure (HOMES-HF): protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Despite the encouraging results from several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, the ability of home telemonitoring for heart failure (HF) to improve patient outcomes remains controversial as a consequence of the two recent large-scale RCTs. However, it has been suggested that there is a subgroup of patients with HF who may benefit from telemonitoring. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an HF management programme using telemonitoring could improve outcomes in patients with HF under the Japanese healthcare system.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Home Telemonitoring Study for Japanese Patients with Heart Failure (HOMES-HF) study is a prospective, multicentre RCT to investigate the effectiveness of home telemonitoring on the primary composite endpoint of all-cause death and rehospitalisation due to worsening HF in recently admitted HF patients (aged 20 and older, New York Heart Association classes II-III). The telemonitoring system is an automated physiological monitoring system including body weight, blood pressure and pulse rate by full-time nurses 7 days a week. Additionally, the system was designed to make it a high priority to support patient's self-care instead of an early detection of HF decompensation. A total sample size of 420 patients is planned according to the Schoenfeld and Richter method. Eligible patients are randomly assigned via a website to either the telemonitoring group or the usual care group by using a minimisation method with biased-coin assignment balancing on age, left ventricular ejection fraction and a history of ischaemic heart disease. Participants will be enrolled until August 2013 and followed until August 2014. Time to events will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and HRs and 95% CIs will be calculated using the Cox proportional hazards models with stratification factors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study is registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000006839).