Home-based versus centre-based cardiac rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death globally. Traditionally, centre-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes are offered to individuals after cardiac events to aid recovery and prevent further cardiac illness. Home-based and technology-supported cardiac rehabilitation programmes have been introduced in an attempt to widen access and participation, especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This is an update of a review previously published in 2009, 2015, and 2017.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of home-based (which may include digital/telehealth interventions) and supervised centre-based cardiac rehabilitation on mortality and morbidity, exercise-capacity, health-related quality of life, and modifiable cardiac risk factors in patients with heart disease SEARCH METHODS: We updated searches from the previous Cochrane Review by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO) on 16 September 2022. We also searched two clinical trials registers as well as previous systematic reviews and reference lists of included studies. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials that compared centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (e.g. hospital, sports/community centre) with home-based programmes (± digital/telehealth platforms) in adults with myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, or who had undergone revascularisation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened all identified references for inclusion based on predefined inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or by involving a third review author. Two authors independently extracted outcome data and study characteristics and assessed risk of bias. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included three new trials in this update, bringing a total of 24 trials that have randomised a total of 3046 participants undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. A further nine studies were identified and are awaiting classification. Manual searching of trial registers until 16 September 2022 revealed a further 14 clinical trial registrations - these are ongoing. Participants had a history of acute myocardial infarction, revascularisation, or heart failure. Although there was little evidence of high risk of bias, a number of studies provided insufficient detail to enable assessment of potential risk of bias; in particular, details of generation and concealment of random allocation sequencing and blinding of outcome assessment were poorly reported. No evidence of a difference was seen between home- and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation in our primary outcomes up to 12 months of follow-up: total mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65 to 2.16; participants = 1647; studies = 12/comparisons = 14; low-certainty evidence) or exercise capacity (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0.10, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.04; participants = 2343; studies = 24/comparisons = 28; low-certainty evidence). The majority of evidence (N=71 / 77 comparisons of either total or domain scores) showed no significant difference in health-related quality of life up to 24 months follow-up between home- and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation. Trials were generally of short duration, with only three studies reporting outcomes beyond 12 months (exercise capacity: SMD 0.11, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.23; participants = 1074; studies = 3; moderate-certainty evidence). There was a similar level of trial completion (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.08; participants = 2638; studies = 22/comparisons = 26; low-certainty evidence) between home-based and centre-based participants. The cost per patient of centre- and home-based programmes was similar.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This update supports previous conclusions that home- (± digital/telehealth platforms) and centre-based forms of cardiac rehabilitation formally supported by healthcare staff seem to be similarly effective in improving clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes in patients after myocardial infarction, or revascularisation, or with heart failure. This finding supports the continued expansion of healthcare professional supervised home-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes (± digital/telehealth platforms), especially important in the context of the ongoing global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that has much limited patients in face-to-face access of hospital and community health services. Where settings are able to provide both supervised centre- and home-based programmes, consideration of the preference of the individual patient would seem appropriate. Although not included in the scope of this review, there is an increasing evidence base supporting the use of hybrid models that combine elements of both centre-based and home-based cardiac rehabilitation delivery. Further data are needed to determine: (1) whether the short-term effects of home/digital-telehealth and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation models of delivery can be confirmed in the longer term; (2) the relative clinical effectiveness and safety of home-based programmes for other heart patients, e.g. post-valve surgery and atrial fibrillation.

Nurse-led ambulatory care supported by non-invasive haemodynamic assessment after acute heart failure decompensation

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by frequent decompensation and an unpredictable trajectory. To prevent early hospital readmission, coordinated discharge planning and individual therapeutic approach are recommended.

Aims

We aimed to assess the effect of 1 month of ambulatory care, led by nurses and supported by non‐invasive haemodynamic assessment, on the functional status, well‐being, and haemodynamic status of patients post‐acute HF decompensation.

Methods and results

This study had a multicentre, prospective, and observational design and included patients with at least one hospitalization due to acute HF decompensation within 6 months prior to enrolment. The 1 month ambulatory care included three visits led by a nurse when the haemodynamic state of each patient was assessed non‐invasively by impedance cardiography, including thoracic fluid content assessment. The pharmacotherapy was modified basing on haemodynamic assessment. Sixty eight of 73 recruited patients (median age = 67 years; median left ventricular ejection fraction = 30%) finished 1 month follow‐up. A significant improvement was observed in both the patients' functional status as defined by New York Heart Association class (P = 0.013) and sense of well‐being as evaluated by a visual analogue score (P = 0.002). The detailed patients' assessment on subsequent visits resulted in changes of pharmacotherapy in a significant percentage of patients (Visit 2 = 39% and Visit 3 = 44%).

Conclusions

The proposed model of nurse‐led ambulatory care for patients after acute HF decompensation, with consequent assessment of the haemodynamic profile, resulted in: (i) improvement in the functional status, (ii) improvement in the well‐being, and (iii) high rate of pharmacotherapy modifications.

[The risks of re-hospitalization of patients with heart failure with prolonged follow-up in a specialized center for the treatment of heart failure and in real clinical practice.]

Relevance The number of patients with functional class III-IV chronic heart failure (CHF) characterized by frequent rehospitalization for acute decompensated HF (ADHF) has increased. Rehospitalizations significantly increase the cost of patient management and the burden on health care system.Objective To determine the effect of long-term follow-up at a specialized center for treatment of HF (Center for Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure, CTCHF) on the risk of rehospitalization for patients after ADHF.Materials and Methods The study successively included 942 patients with CHF after ADHF. Group 1 consisted of 510 patients who continued the outpatient follows-up at the CTCHF, and group 2 included 432 patients who refused of the follow-up at the CTCHF and were managed at outpatient clinics at their place of residence. CHF patient compliance with recommendations and frequency of rehospitalization for ADHF were determined by outpatient medical records and structured telephone calls. A rehospitalization for ADHF was recorded if the patient stayed for more than one day in the hospital and required intravenous loop diuretics. The follow-up period was two years. Statistical analyses were performed using a Statistica 7.0 software for Windows, SPSS, and a R statistical package.Results Patients of group 2 were significantly older, more frequently had FC III CHF and less frequently had FC I CHF than patients of group 1. Both groups contained more women and HF patients with preserved ejection fraction. Using the method of binary multifactorial logit-regression a mathematical model was created, which showed that risk of rehospitalization during the entire follow-up period did not depend on age and sex but was significantly increased 2.4 times for patients with FC III-IV CHF and 3.4 times for patients of group 2. Multinomial multifactorial logit-regression showed that the risk of one, two, three or more rehospitalizations within two years was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (2.9-4.5 times depending on the number of rehospitalizations) and for patients with FC III-IV CHF compared to patients with FC I-II CHF (2-3.2 times depending on the number of rehospitalizations). Proportion of readmitted patients during the first year of follow-up was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (55.3 % vs. 39.8 % of patients [odd ratio (OR) =1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-2.4; р<0.001]; during the second year, the proportion was 67.4 % vs. 28.2 % (OR=5.3; 95 % CI, 3.9-7.1; р<0.001). Patients of group 1 were readmitted more frequently during the first year than during the second year (р<0,001) whereas patients of group 2 were readmitted more frequently during the second than the first year of follow-up (р<0.001). Total proportion of readmitted patients for two years of follow-up was significantly greater in group 2 (78.0 % vs. 50.6 %) (OR=3.5; 95 % CI, 2.6-4.6; р<0.001). Reasons for rehospitalizations were identified in 88.7 % and 45.9 % of the total number of readmitted patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The main cause for ADHF was non-compliance with recommendations in 47.4 % and 66.7 % of patients of groups 1 and 2, respectively (р<0.001).Conclusion Follow-up in the system of specialized health care significantly decreases the risk of rehospitalization during the first and second years of follow-up and during two years in total for both patients with FC I-II CHF and FC III-IV CHF. Despite education of patients, personal contacts with medical personnel, and telephone support, main reasons for rehospitalization were avoidable.

Multimorbidity and the Risk of All-Cause 30-Day Readmission in the Setting of Multidisciplinary Management of Chronic Heart Failure: A Retrospective Analysis of 830 Hospitalized Patients in Australia

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity has an adverse effect on health outcomes in hospitalized individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF), but the modulating effect of multidisciplinary management is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increasing morbidity would independently predict an increasing risk of 30-day readmission despite multidisciplinary management of CHF.

METHODS

We studied patients hospitalized for any reason with heart failure receiving nurse-led, postdischarge multidisciplinary management. We profiled a matrix of expected comorbidities involving the most common coexisting conditions associated with CHF and examined the relationship between multimorbidity and 30-day all-cause readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 830 patients (mean age 73 ± 13 years and 65% men) were assessed. Multimorbidity was common, with an average of 6.6 ± 2.4 comorbid conditions with sex-based differences in prevalence of 4 of 10 conditions. Within 30 days of initial hospitalization, 216 of 830 (26%) patients were readmitted for any reason. Greater multimorbidity was associated with increasing readmission (4%-44% for those with 0-1 to 8-9 morbid conditions; adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.38) for each additional condition. Three distinct classes of patient emerged: class 1-diabetes, metabolic, and mood disorders; class 2-renal impairment; and class 3-low with relatively fewer comorbid conditions. Classes 1 and 2 had higher 30-day readmission than class 3 did (adjusted P < .01 for both comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

These data affirm that multimorbidity is common in adult CHF inpatients and in potentially distinct patterns linked to outcome. Overall, greater multimorbidity is associated with a higher risk of 30-day all-cause readmission despite high-quality multidisciplinary management. More innovative approaches to target-specific clusters of multimorbidity are required to improve health outcomes in affected individuals.

[The prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, depending on adherence to observation in a specialized heart failure treatment center]

Actuality. The risk of death of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) after acute decompensation of heart failure (ADHF) is directly related to the quality of the treatment of CHF after discharge from the hospital. In order to achieve the maximum effect of therapy in patients with CHF, experts in Europe and the USA recommend the creation of centers of specialized medical care for patients with CHF. Objective: to determine the risks of general, cardiovascular mortality and death from ADHF in patients with CHF during two years of observation, depending on their adherence to observation in a specialized center for the treatment of chronic heart failure (center CHF). Materials and methods. The study consistently included 942 patients with CHF after ADHF. The adherence of patients to follow up in center CHF was analyzed and 4 groups were distinguished: group 1 (n = 313) included patients who were observed continuously for two years; group 2 (n = 382) included patients who, after discharge, had never been observed in the center CHF; group 3 (n = 197) consisted of patients who were monitored at center CHF during the first year and then discontinued, and group 4 (n = 49) united patients who, when included in the study, abandoned observation, but after a year began to be constantly observed during the second year center CHF. Results. Statistically significant differences in age were registered only between groups 1 and 2 (69.6+9.9 and 71.8+11 years, respectively, р1/2=0.006). The overall mortality over the 2 years of follow-up was significantly higher in group 2 (32.4%) versus group 1 (1.2%, OR=3.8, 95% CI 2.5-5.7; p1/2&lt;0.001 ); compared with group 3 (9.1%, OR=4.8, 95% CI 2.8-8.1; p2/3&lt;0.001) and group 4 (8,2%, OR = 5.4, 95% CI 1.9-15.3; p2/4=0.0005). Cardiovascular mortality (CVM) for 2 years of follow-up was significantly higher in group 2 versus group 1 (8.1% and 1.3% of cases, OR=6.8, 95% CI 2.4-19.5; p1/2&lt;0.001), as well as in comparison with group 3 (CVM 3% for 2 years, OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.1-6.8; p2/3=0.02). CVM in group 4 (6.1%) was 5 times higher in comparison with group 1 (OR=5.0, 95% CI 1.1-23.2; p1/4=0.02). The risks of death from ADHF over the 2 years of follow-up were significantly higher in group 2 (16.4%) compared with all groups: with group 1 (6.4%) OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.7-4, 9, p1/2&lt;0.001; with group 3 (5.1%) OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.8-7.3, p2/3&lt;0.001; and with group 4 (2%) OR=9.5, 95% CI 1.3-69.7, p2/4= 0.008. The combined endpoint (CVM and death from ADHF in 2 years of follow-up) was also significantly higher in group 2 (24.5%) compared with all compared groups: group 1 (7.7%), OR=3.9, 95% CI 2.4-6.3, p1/2&lt;0.001; group 3 (8.1%), OR=3.7, 95% CI 2.1-6.5, p2/3&lt;0.001; and group 4 (8.2%), OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.3-10.4; p2/4=0.01. Conclusion. Surveillance of patients with CHF after an episode of ADHF in a specialized center CHF, both for a long time (two years) and partially during the first year of observation, reduces the risk of all-cause death, CVM and death from ADHF.

Setting Up a Heart Failure Program in 2018: Moving Towards New Paradigm(s)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart failure (HF) is the first cause of hospitalization in the elderly in Western countries, generating tremendous healthcare costs. Despite the spread of multidisciplinary post-discharge programs, readmission rates have remained unchanged over time. We review the recent developments in this setting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent data plead for global reorganization of HF care, specifically targeting patients at high risk for further readmission, as well as a stronger involvement of primary care providers (PCP) in patients' care plan. Besides, tools, devices, and new interdisciplinary expertise have emerged to support and be integrated into those programs; they have been greeted with great enthusiasm, but their routine applicability remains to be determined. HF programs in 2018 should focus on pragmatic assessments of patients that will benefit the most from the multidisciplinary care; delegating the management of low-risk patients to trained PCP and empowering the patient himself, using the newly available tools as needed.

Home Hospitalization for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Opportunities and Strategies for Improved Health Outcomes

IMPORTANCE

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization among patients over the age of 65 in the United States and developed countries, posing a significant economic burden to the health care systems. More than half of the patients with HF will be readmitted to the hospital within 6 months from discharge, leading not only to increased health care related expenses but also functional decline, iatrogenic injuries and in-hospital infections. With the increasing prevalence of HF, there is a substantial need for innovative delivery care models that can provide hospital level of care at a patient's home.

OBSERVATIONS

Home hospitalization was originally used to safely manage chronically ill patients with general medical (stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, deep vein thrombosis, community acquired pneumonia) and surgical conditions and was associated with improved patient satisfaction and improvement in activity of daily living status. This had no clear effect on readmission or cost. When hospital at home care model was applied to HF patients it demonstrated increased time to readmission, reduced index costs and improved health related quality of life, with no significant differences in adverse events. Eligible patients should be selected based on multiple factors taking into consideration applicable limitations and comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Providing in-hospital level care to the patient's house presents a reliable alternative, yielding multiple benefits both for the patient, as well as the health care system. Formulating a well-defined model is necessary before wide implementation.

Mortality and Readmission Following Hospitalisation for Heart Failure in Australia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a common, costly condition with an increasing burden on Australian health care system resources. Knowledge of the burden of HF on patients and on the health system is important for resource allocation. This study is the first systematic review to estimate the mortality and readmission rates after hospitalisation for HF in the Australian population.

METHODS

We searched for studies of HF hospitalisation in Australia published between January 1990 and May 2016, using a systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Studies reporting 30-day and/or 1-year outcomes for mortality or readmission following hospitalisation were eligible and included in this study.

RESULTS

Out of 2889 articles matching the initial search criteria, a total of 13 studies representing 67,255 patients were included in the final analysis. The pooled mean age of heart failure patients was 76.3 years and 51% were male (n=34,271). The pooled estimated 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality were 8% and 25% respectively. The pooled estimated 30-day and 1-year all-cause readmission rates were 20% and 56% respectively. There is a high prevalence of comorbidities in heart failure patients. There were limited data on readmission and mortality in rural patients and Indigenous people.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure hospitalisations in Australia are followed by substantial readmission and mortality rates.

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.

Shared care across the interface between primary and specialty care in management of long term conditions

BACKGROUND

Shared care has been used in the management of many chronic conditions with the assumption that it delivers better care than primary or specialty care alone; however, little is known about the effectiveness of shared care.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of shared care health service interventions designed to improve the management of chronic disease across the primary/specialty care interface. This is an update of a previously published review.Secondary questions include the following:1. Which shared care interventions or portions of shared care interventions are most effective?2. What do the most effective systems have in common?

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library to 12 October 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

One review author performed the initial abstract screen; then two review authors independently screened and selected studies for inclusion. We considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs), controlled before-after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series analyses (ITS) evaluating the effectiveness of shared care interventions for people with chronic conditions in primary care and community settings. The intervention was compared with usual care in that setting.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data from the included studies, evaluated study quality and judged the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We conducted a meta-analysis of results when possible and carried out a narrative synthesis of the remainder of the results. We presented the results in a 'Summary of findings' table, using a tabular format to show effect sizes for all outcome types.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 42 studies of shared care interventions for chronic disease management (N = 18,859), 39 of which were RCTs, two CBAs and one an NRCT. Of these 42 studies, 41 examined complex multi-faceted interventions and lasted from six to 24 months. Overall, our confidence in results regarding the effectiveness of interventions ranged from moderate to high certainty. Results showed probably few or no differences in clinical outcomes overall with a tendency towards improved blood pressure management in the small number of studies on shared care for hypertension, chronic kidney disease and stroke (mean difference (MD) 3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.68 to 5.25)(based on moderate-certainty evidence). Mental health outcomes improved, particularly in response to depression treatment (risk ratio (RR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 1.62; six studies, N = 1708) and recovery from depression (RR 2.59, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.26; 10 studies, N = 4482) in studies examining the 'stepped care' design of shared care interventions (based on high-certainty evidence). Investigators noted modest effects on mean depression scores (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.29, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.20; six studies, N = 3250). Differences in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), processes of care and participation and default rates in shared care services were probably limited (based on moderate-certainty evidence). Studies probably showed little or no difference in hospital admissions, service utilisation and patient health behaviours (with evidence of moderate certainty).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that shared care improves depression outcomes and probably has mixed or limited effects on other outcomes. Methodological shortcomings, particularly inadequate length of follow-up, may account in part for these limited effects. Review findings support the growing evidence base for shared care in the management of depression, particularly stepped care models of shared care. Shared care interventions for other conditions should be developed within research settings, with account taken of the complexity of such interventions and awareness of the need to carry out longer studies to test effectiveness and sustainability over time.

Applying Heart Failure Management to Improve Health Outcomes: But WHICH One?

We report on our learning from many years of research testing the value of nurse-led, multidisciplinary, home-based management of heart failure. We discuss and highlight the key challenges we have experienced in testing this model of care relative to alternatives and evolving patient population. Accordingly, we propose a pragmatic approach to adapt current models of care to meet the needs of increasingly complex (and costly) patients with multimorbidity.

Comparison of contemporaneous responses for EQ-5D-3L and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure; a case for disease specific multiattribute utility instrument in cardiovascular conditions

BACKGROUND

The EQ-5D-3L, a generic multi-attribute utility instrument (MAUI), is widely employed to assist in economic evaluations in health care. The EQ-5D-3L lacks sensitivity when used in conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although there are number of CVD specific quality of life instruments, currently, there are no CVD specific MAUIs. The aim of this study is to investigate the discriminative ability and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-3L and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF), a CVD specific quality of life instrument in a group of heart failure patients.

METHODS

The psychometric performance of the EQ-5D-3L and the MLHF was assessed using data from a randomised trial for a heart failure management intervention. The two instruments were compared for discrimination, responsiveness and agreement. The severity groups were defined using New York Heart Association functional classes.

RESULTS

The effect sizes for severe classes were generally similar showing good discrimination. The MLHF recorded better responsiveness between the time points than the EQ-5D-3L which was indicated by higher effect sizes and standardised response means. The change in MLHF summary scores between the time points was significant (p<0.005; paired t-test). The overall agreement between the two measures was low.

CONCLUSION

The low correlation indicates that the two classification systems cover different aspects of health space. Comparison of CVD specific instruments with other generic MAUIs such as EQ-5D-3L and AQOL-8D is recommended for further research.

Impact of Nurse-Led, Multidisciplinary Home-Based Intervention on Event-Free Survival Across the Spectrum of Chronic Heart Disease: Composite Analysis of Health Outcomes in 1226 Patients From 3 Randomized Trials

Background—

We sought to determine the overall impact of a nurse-led, multidisciplinary home-based intervention (HBI) adapted to hospitalized patients with chronic forms of heart disease of varying types.

Methods and Results—

Prospectively planned, combined, secondary analysis of 3 randomized trials (1226 patients) of HBI were compared with standard management. Hospitalized patients presenting with heart disease but not heart failure, atrial fibrillation but not heart failure, and heart failure, as well, were recruited. Overall, 612 and 614 patients, respectively, were allocated to a home visit 7 to 14 days postdischarge by a cardiac nurse with follow-up and multidisciplinary support according to clinical need or standard management. The primary outcome of days-alive and out-of-hospital was examined on an intention-to-treat basis. During 1371 days (interquartile range, 1112–1605) of follow-up, 218 patients died and 17 917 days of hospital stay were recorded. In comparison with standard management, HBI patients achieved significantly prolonged event-free survival (90.1% [95% confidence interval, 88.2–92.0] versus 87.2% [95% confidence interval, 85.1–89.3] days-alive and out-of-hospital; P=0.020). This reflected less all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.88; P=0.005) and unplanned hospital stay (median, 0.22 [interquartile range, 0–1.3] versus 0.36 [0–2.1] days/100 days follow-up; P=0.011). Analyses of the differential impact of HBI on all-cause mortality showed significant interactions (characterized by U-shaped relationships) with age (P=0.005) and comorbidity (P=0.041); HBI was most effective for those aged 60 to 82 years (59%–65% of individual trial cohorts) and with a Charlson Comorbidity Index Score of 5 to 8 (36%–61%).

Conclusions—

These data provide further support for the application of postdischarge HBI across the full spectrum of patients being hospitalized for chronic forms of heart disease.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au. Unique identifiers: 12610000221055, 12608000022369, 12607000069459.

The challenge of comorbidity in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to provide recommendations for addressing comorbidity in clinical trial design and conduct in multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

We held an international workshop, informed by a systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of comorbidity in MS and an international survey about research priorities for studying comorbidity including their relation to clinical trials in MS.

RESULTS

We recommend establishing age- and sex-specific incidence estimates for comorbidities in the MS population, including those that commonly raise concern in clinical trials of immunomodulatory agents; shifting phase III clinical trials of new therapies from explanatory to more pragmatic trials; describing comorbidity status of the enrolled population in publications reporting clinical trials; evaluating treatment response, tolerability, and safety in clinical trials according to comorbidity status; and considering comorbidity status in the design of pharmacovigilance strategies.

CONCLUSION

Our recommendations will help address knowledge gaps regarding comorbidity that interfere with the ability to interpret safety in monitored trials and will enhance the generalizability of findings from clinical trials to "real world" settings where the MS population commonly has comorbid conditions.

Evaluation of a Community Health Service Center-Based Intervention Program for Managing Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Although the role of primary care for the management of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) has been highly recommended, structural involvement of primary care in heart failure (HF) management programs is extremely limited.

AIMS

To examine the feasibility and applicability of two most recommended forms of care delivery mode, home visit and telephone support, for CHF management in the setting of community health service center (CHSC).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

This study was conducted in two CHSCs in Beijing, China. Care delivery was led by trained general practitioners or community nurses via home visits in one CHSC and telephone support in the other. Data regarding the change in mortality and hospitalization rate during 12 months and self-care level at 6 months were prospectively collected and compared across the intervention groups.

RESULTS

A total of 329 patients were included, with 142 in the home visit group and 187 in the telephone support group. Patients in both groups had frequent visits to CHSC (8.1±5.9 in the home visit and 7.7±4.1 in the telephone support group, p=0.45) during the follow-up period. Compared to the telephone support group, patients in the home visit group showed a reduction in all-cause mortality (14.1% versus 20.3%, p=0.14), one or more hospitalizations due to any cause (33.8% versus 44.2%, p=0.12) and one or more hospitalizations due to cardiac cause (17.6% versus 24.6%, p=0.13) in the home visit group. The absolute differences were 6.2% (95% CI: 1.9%, 14.3%), 8.4% (95% CI: 2.1%, 18.9%) and 7.3% (95% CI: 1.5%, 16.1%), respectively, although the results were not statistically significant. After 6 months of intervention, patients in both groups achieved marked improvement in self-care with reference to their own baseline values.

CONCLUSION

Although no statistical difference was observed between the two care delivery approaches regarding the clinical outcomes of interest, given the high participation rates, the acceptable rate of adverse events, frequent CHSC visits and patients' preferences in the current study, it was concluded that CHSC might be the optimal setting for delivering care to CHF patients in China.

Internet-based interventions for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

The Internet could provide a means of delivering secondary prevention programmes to people with coronary heart disease (CHD).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions targeting lifestyle changes and medicines management for the secondary prevention of CHD.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, in December 2014. We also searched six other databases in October 2014, and three trials registers in January 2015 together with reference checking and handsearching to identify additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Internet-delivered secondary prevention interventions aimed at people with CHD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We assessed evidence quality using the GRADE approach and presented this in a 'Summary of findings' table.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen trials met our inclusion criteria. Eleven studies are complete (1392 participants), and seven are ongoing. Of the completed studies, seven interventions are broad, targeting the lifestyle management of CHD, and four focused on physical activity promotion. The comparison group in trials was usual care (n = 6), minimal intervention (n = 3), or traditional cardiac rehabilitation (n = 2).We found no effects of Internet-based interventions for all-cause mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 1.63; participants = 895; studies = 6; low-quality evidence). There was only one case of cardiovascular mortality in a control group (participants = 895; studies = 6). No incidences of non-fatal re-infarction were reported across any of the studies. We found no effects for revascularisation (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.27; participants = 895; studies = 6; low-quality evidence).We found no effects for total cholesterol (mean difference (MD) 0.00, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.28; participants = 439; studies = 4; low-quality evidence), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.07; participants = 437; studies = 4; low-quality evidence), or triglycerides (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.19; participants = 439; studies = 4; low-quality evidence). We did not pool the data for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol due to considerable heterogeneity. Two out of six trials measuring LDL cholesterol detected favourable intervention effects, and four trials reported no effects. Seven studies measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure; we did not pool the data due to substantial heterogeneity. For systolic blood pressure, two studies showed a reduction with the intervention, but the remaining studies showed no effect. For diastolic blood pressure, two studies showed a reduction with the intervention, one study showed an increase with the intervention, and the remaining four studies showed no effect.Five trials measured health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We could draw no conclusions from one study due to incomplete reporting; one trial reported no effect; two studies reported a short- and medium-term effect respectively; and one study reported both short- and medium-term effects.Five trials assessed dietary outcomes: two reported favourable effects, and three reported no effects. Eight studies assessed physical activity: five of these trials reported no physical activity effects, and three reported effectiveness. Trials are yet to measure the impact of these interventions on compliance with medication.Two studies measured healthcare utilisation: one reported no effects, and the other reported increased usage of healthcare services compared to a control group in the intervention group at nine months' follow-up. Two trials collected cost data: both reported that Internet-delivered interventions are likely to be cost-effective.In terms of the risk of bias, the majority of studies reported appropriate randomisation and appropriate concealment of randomisation processes. A lack of blinding resulted in a risk of performance bias in seven studies, and a risk of detection bias in five trials. Two trials were at risk of attrition bias, and five were at risk for reporting bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In general, evidence was of low quality due to lack of blinding, loss to follow-up, and uncertainty around the effect size. Few studies measured clinical events, and of those that did, a very small number of events were reported, and therefore no firm conclusions can be made. Similarly, there was no clear evidence of effect for cardiovascular risk factors, although again the number of studies reporting these was small. There was some evidence for beneficial effects on HRQOL, dietary outcomes, and physical activity, although firm conclusions cannot yet be made. The effects on healthcare utilisation and cost-effectiveness are also inconclusive, and trials are yet to measure the impact of Internet interventions on compliance with medication. The comparison groups differed across trials, and there were insufficient studies with usable data for subgroup analyses. We intend to study the intensity of comparison groups in future updates of this review when more evidence is available. The completion of the ongoing trials will add to the evidence base.

Addressing the conundrum of multimorbidity in heart failure: Do we need a more strategic approach to improve health outcomes?

There is clear evidence across the globe that the clinical complexity of patients presenting to hospital with the syndrome of heart failure is increasing - not only in terms of the presence of concurrent disease states, but with additional socio-demographic risk factors that complicate treatment. Management strategies that treat heart failure as the main determinant of health outcomes ignores the multiple and complex issues that will inevitably erode the efficacy and efficiency of current heart failure management programmes. This complex problem (or conundrum) requires a different way of thinking around the complex interactions that underpin poor outcomes in heart failure. In this context, we present the COordinated NUrse-led inteNsified Disease management for continuity of caRe for mUltiMorbidity in Heart Failure (CONUNDRUM-HF) matrix that may well inform future research and models of care to achieve better health outcomes in this rapidly increasing patient population.

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.

Composite outcome measures in a pragmatic clinical trial of chronic heart failure management: A comparative assessment

BACKGROUND

A number of composite outcomes have been developed to capture the perspective of the patient, clinician and objective measures of health in assessing heart failure outcomes. To date there has been a limited examination in the composition of these outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three commonly used scoring systems in heart failure trials: Packer's composite, Patient Journey and the African American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT) scores were compared in assessing outcomes from the Which heart failure intervention is most cost-effective & consumer friendly in reducing hospital care (WHICH(?)) Trial. Comparability and interpretability of these outcomes and the influence of each component to the final outcome were examined. Despite all three composite outcomes incorporating mortality, hospitalisation and quality of life (QoL), the contribution of each individual component to the final outcomes differed. The component with the most influence in deteriorating condition for the Packer's composite was hospitalisation (67.7%), while in Patient Journey it was QoL (61.5%) and for A-HeFT composite score it was mortality (45.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution made by each component varied in subtle, but important ways. This study emphasises the importance of understanding the value system of the composite outcomes to enable meaningful interpretation of results.

A systematic approach to chronic heart failure care: a consensus statement

The National Heart Foundation of Australia assembled an expert panel to provide guidance on policy and system changes to improve the quality of care for people with chronic heart failure (CHF). The recommendations have the potential to reduce emergency presentations, hospitalisations and premature death among patients with CHF. Best-practice management of CHF involves evidence-based, multidisciplinary, patient-centred care, which leads to better health outcomes. A CHF care model is required to achieve this. Although CHF management programs exist, ensuring access for everyone remains a challenge. This is particularly so for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those from non-metropolitan areas and lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Lack of data and inadequate identification of people with CHF prevents efficient patient monitoring, limiting information to improve or optimise care. This leads to ineffectiveness in measuring outcomes and evaluating the CHF care provided. Expanding current cardiac registries to include patients with CHF and developing mechanisms to promote data linkage across care transitions are essential. As the prevalence of CHF rises, the demand for multidisciplinary workforce support will increase. Workforce planning should provide access to services outside of large cities, one of the main challenges it is currently facing. To enhance community-based management of CHF, general practitioners should be empowered to lead care. Incentive arrangements should favour provision of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Ongoing research is vital to improving systems of care for people with CHF. Future research activity needs to ensure the translation of valuable knowledge and high-quality evidence into practice.

Prolonged impact of home versus clinic-based management of chronic heart failure: extended follow-up of a pragmatic, multicentre randomized trial cohort

OBJECTIVES

We compared the longer-term impact of the two most commonly applied forms of post-discharge management designed to minimize recurrent hospitalization and prolong survival in typically older patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODS

We followed a multi-center randomized controlled trial cohort of Australian patients hospitalized with CHF and initially allocated to home-based or specialized CHF clinic-based intervention for 1368 ± 216 days. Blinded endpoints included event-free survival from all-cause emergency hospitalization or death, all-cause mortality and rate of all-cause hospitalization and stay.

RESULTS

280 patients (73% male, aged 71 ± 14 years and 73% left ventricular systolic dysfunction) were initially randomized to home-based (n=143) or clinic-based (n=137) intervention. During extended follow-up (complete for 274 patients), 1139 all-cause hospitalizations (7477 days of hospital stay) and 121 (43.2%) deaths occurred. There was no difference in the primary endpoint; 20 (14.0%) home-based versus 13 (7.4%) clinic-based patients remained event-free (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.15; p=0.378). Significantly fewer home-based (51/143, 35.7%) than clinic-based intervention (71/137, 51.8%) patients died (adjusted HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.90: p=0.012). Home-based versus clinic-based intervention patients accumulated 592 and 547 all-cause hospitalizations (p=0.087) associated with 3067 (median 4.0, IQR 2.0 to 6.8) versus 4410 (6.0, IQR 3.0 to 12.0) days of hospital stay (p<0.01 for rate and duration of hospital stay).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative to clinic-based intervention, home-based intervention was not associated with prolonged event-free survival. Home-based intervention was, however, associated with significantly fewer all-cause deaths and significantly fewer days of hospital stay in the longer-term.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number 12607000069459 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=81803).

Practical guide on home health in heart failure patients

Introduction

Chronic heart failure is a common condition affecting up to 15 million people in the extended Europe. Heart failure is burdensome and costly for patients in terms of decreased quality of life and poor prognosis, and it is also costly for society. Better integrated care is warranted in this population and specialised heart failure care can save costs and improve the quality of care. However, only a few European countries have implemented specialised home care and offered this to a larger number of patients with heart failure.

Method

We developed a guide on Home Health in Heart Failure patients from a literature review, a survey of heart failure management programs, the opinion of researchers and practitioners, data from clinical trials and a reflection of an international expert meeting.

Results

In integrated home care for heart failure patients, it is advised to consider the following components: integrated multidisciplinary care, patient and partner participation, care plans with clear goals of care, patient education, self-care management, appropriate access to care and optimised treatment.

Discussion

We summarised the state of the art of home-based care for heart failure patients in Europe, described the typical content of such care to provide a guide for health care providers.

Patient preferences and willingness-to-pay for a home or clinic based program of chronic heart failure management: findings from the Which? trial

BACKGROUND

Beyond examining their overall cost-effectiveness and mechanisms of effect, it is important to understand patient preferences for the delivery of different modes of chronic heart failure management programs (CHF-MPs). We elicited patient preferences around the characteristics and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a clinic or home-based CHF-MP.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

A Discrete Choice Experiment was completed by a sub-set of patients (n = 91) enrolled in the WHICH? trial comparing home versus clinic-based CHF-MP. Participants provided 5 choices between hypothetical clinic and home-based programs varying by frequency of nurse consultations, nurse continuity, patient costs, and availability of telephone or education support. Participants (aged 71±13 yrs, 72.5% male, 25.3% NYHA class III/IV) displayed two distinct preference classes. A latent class model of the choice data indicated 56% of participants preferred clinic delivery, access to group CHF education classes, and lower cost programs (p<0.05). The remainder preferred home-based CHF-MPs, monthly rather than weekly visits, and access to a phone advice service (p<0.05). Continuity of nurse contact was consistently important. No significant association was observed between program preference and participant allocation in the parent trial. WTP was estimated from the model and a dichotomous bidding technique. For those preferring clinic, estimated WTP was ≈AU$9-20 per visit; however for those preferring home-based programs, WTP varied widely (AU$15-105).

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Patient preferences for CHF-MPs were dichotomised between a home-based model which is more likely to suit older patients, those who live alone, and those with a lower household income; and a clinic-based model which is more likely to suit those who are more socially active and wealthier. To optimise the delivery of CHF-MPs, health care services should consider their patients' preferences when designing CHF-MPs.

Components of heart failure management in home care; a literature review

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart failure (HF) need long-term and complex care delivered by healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care. Although guidelines on optimal HF care exist, no specific description of components that are applied for optimal HF care at home exist. The objective of this review was to describe which components of HF (home) care are found in research studies addressing homecare interventions in the HF population.

METHODS

The Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched using HF-, homecare services-, and clinical trial-related search terms.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 703 potentially relevant publications, out of which 70 articles were included. All articles described interventions with two or more of the following components: multidisciplinary team, continuity of care and care plans, optimized treatment according to guidelines, educational and counselling of patients and caregivers, and increased accessibility to care. Most studies (n=65, 93%) tested interventions with three components or more and 20 studies (29%) used interventions including all five components.

CONCLUSIONS

There a several studies on HF care at home, testing interventions with a variety in number of components. Comparing the results to current standards, aspects such as collaboration between primary care and hospital care, titration of medication, and patient education can be improved.

Exercise training in recently hospitalized heart failure patients enrolled in a disease management programme: design of the EJECTION-HF randomized controlled trial

AIMS

The Exercise Joins Education: Combined Therapy to Improve Outcomes in Newly-discharged Heart Failure (EJECTION-HF) study will evaluate the impact of a supervised exercise training programme (ETP) on clinical outcomes in recently hospitalized heart failure patients attending a disease management programme (DMP). Methods This multisite, pragmatic randomized controlled trial enrols patients discharged from participating hospitals with clinical evidence of heart failure who are willing and able to participate in a DMP and considered clinically safe to exercise. Enrolment includes participants with impaired and preserved left ventricular systolic function. Baseline assessment and programme commencement occur within 6 weeks of hospital discharge. The control group DMP includes individualized education and follow-up from a multidisciplinary heart failure team; a weekly education programme for 12 weeks; self-management advice; and medical follow-up. Home exercise is recommended for all participants. In addition, intervention participants are offered 36 supervised, structured gym-based 1 h exercise sessions over 24 weeks. Sessions are tailored to exercise capacity and include aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises. Enrolment target is 350 participants. Primary outcome is 12-month mortality and readmissions. Secondary outcomes include blinded evaluation of depressive symptoms, sleep quality, cognition, and functional status (activities of daily living, 6 min walk distance, grip strength) at 3 and 6 months. A cost-utility analysis will be conducted.

CONCLUSION

This study will enrol a representative group of hospitalized heart failure patients and measure a range of patient and health service outcomes to inform the design of post-hospital DMPs for heart failure. Enrolment will be completed in 2013. ACTRN12608000263392.