Heart failure is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization. Mortality rates are high. However, intensive telemedicine care can reduce these by nearly one-third.
Mortality in patients with chronic heart failure is high. An analysis of health insurance data has shown that this risk can be significantly reduced if those affected receive intensive telemedical care. In 9472 patients, routine care was supplemented by the telemedical care program “Curaplan Herz Plus”. As part of this, heart failure symptoms and body weight are determined daily and automatically transmitted to the care center. The information is analyzed there based on various algorithms. If early signs are detected, the patient and his attending physician are informed immediately. Deterioration can usually be detected seven to ten days before impending hospitalization.
Patients with a previous acute inpatient stay for heart failure were included in the analysis and followed for a period of 4.5 years. A comparable control group was formed using propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio. Mortality formed the primary outcome. During the observation period, 2166 telemedical patients and 3027 regular observed sufferers died. This corresponds to a mortality rate of 9.1 per 100 person-years in the first group and 13.9 per 100 person-years in the second group. Patients over 76 years of age tended to benefit slightly more than younger sufferers.
Source: DGK Heart Days
Further reading:
- Liersch S, Franz WM, Kornek S, et al: Telemonitoring significantly reduces mortality in patients with chronic heart failure: a secondary data analysis based on health insurance data. Clin Res Cardiol 2019; P558. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-019-01534-7
CARDIOVASC 2019; 18(6): 34 (published 5/12/19, ahead of print).
