scholarly journals Applicability of structured telephone monitoring to follow up heart failure patients discharged from Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Mmbali ◽  
Pilly Chillo

Background: Studies from developed countries have shown that home monitoring and follow up of heart failure (HF) patients by use of phone calls is cost-effective as it reduces re-admission and improves patients’ clinical status. This intervention has however not been tested in resource poor countries including Tanzania, and there are questions as to whether it is applicable in such situations. This study was carried out to determine the applicability of structured telephone monitoring of HF patients discharged from Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.   Methods: All heart failure patients admitted at the hospital’s Cardiovascular Medicine Department between August and December 2014 were consecutively recruited. Information on their clinical and demographic characteristics was collected and their mobile phone numbers recorded. Patients were then contacted through their phones on day 7, 14 and 30 post discharge and inquiry on their clinical status was made.Results: A total of 164 HF patients were admitted during the study period, of these 4 declined to participate, 3 could not establish a phone number and 26 died before discharge leaving 131 (79.9%) for follow-up. The mean age was 45±19 years and 56.5% were women. The proportion of patients that could be contacted through mobile phones were 96.2%, 94.7% and 93.9% on day 7, 14 and 30 post discharge, respectively. Over 90% of the contacted patients gave valuable information regarding their clinical status.Conclusion: Majority of HF patients can be contacted and provide valuable clinical information through mobile phones within a month post discharge from the national hospital in Tanzania.  Structured telephone monitoring could be used as a tool to follow up HF patients in a resource-poor country like Tanzania.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Plonka ◽  
J Bugajski ◽  
M Plonka ◽  
A Tycinska ◽  
M Gierlotka

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer and potassium channel-opener, is appreciated  for its effects on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic and for the relief of symptoms in acute heart failure (AHF). Positive effects of levosimendan on renal function have been also described. The aim of the present analysis was to assess the predictors of the diuresis response to levosimendan administration in high risk acute heart failure patients. Methods. We analysed 34 consecutive patients admitted with high risk AHF to one centre and treated in intensive cardiac care unit. Levosimendan was administered on top of other treatment as a 24-hour infusion of 12.5 mg total dose except for 7 patients (1 patient - terminated earlier due to intolerance, 5 patients – 48h infusion, 1 patient - 72h infusion). Decision of levosimendan administration was based on clinical status and left to attending physician. Diuresis and diuretic dosage before (24 hours) and after levosimendan infusion (48 hours) were taken into account for the present study. Results. The AHF was primary of cardiac origin in all patients. In 6 (18%) it was due to recent acute myocardial infarction. In-hospital mortality was 24%. Median length of hospitalization was 26 days (range 6 to 107 days). Mean age of the patients was 66 ± 12 years, 25 (74%) were men. Mean INTERMACS score was 3.4 ± 1.4 with wet-cold clinical profile present in 13 (38%) of patients. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was 27 ± 13%, mean NTproBNP was 17176 ± 12464 pg/ml, and mean eGFR 48 ± 22 ml/min/1.73m2. At the time of levosimendan administration patients had background treatment with catecholamines (mean number per patient 1.4 ± 1.1, range 0-3) and with diuretics (mean dosage of furosemide 167 ± 102 mg/24h, range 20-500). 48-hours diuresis after levosimendan administration varies from 950 to 11300 ml (mean 4307 ± 2418 ml). It was significantly lower in patients with cold-wet profile (2646 ± 1335 vs. 5335 ± 2381 ml in other clinical profiles, p = 0.0002). Additionally, 48-hour diuresis was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.46, p = 0.0062) and the number of background catecholamines (r=-0.47, p = 0.0047), and not significantly with the furosemide dosage (r=-0.28, p = 0.10) – figure. No association with diuresis was found for LVEF, NTproBNP, and eGFR. In multiple regression analysis (model R2 = 0.63, p = 0.0085) both older age (p = 0.026) and cold-wet profile (p = 0.0074) were significant predictors of poor diuresis after levosimendan administration. Conclusion. Older age and cold-wet profile were significant predictors of poor diuresis response to levosimendan administration in high risk acute heart failure patients. Although concomitant catecholamines and high diuretic dosage use cloud also be markers of non-responders to levosimendan in terms of diuresis. Abstract Figure


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. S140-S141
Author(s):  
Kenji Ando ◽  
Yoshimitsu Soga ◽  
Masahiko Goya ◽  
Shinichi Shirai ◽  
Shinya Nagayama ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.Y Chang ◽  
W.R Chiou ◽  
P.L Lin ◽  
C.Y Hsu ◽  
C.T Liao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) has been associated with increased mortality when compared with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) from several heart failure (HF) cohorts. Instead, PARADIGM study demonstrated similar event rates of cardiovascular (CV) death, all-cause mortality and HF readmissions between ICM and NICM patients. Although the beneficiary effect of sacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) compared to enalapril on these endpoints was consistent across etiologic categories, PARADIGM study did not analyze the effect of ventricular remodeling of SAC/VAL on patients with different HF etiologies, which may significantly affect treatment outcomes. Purpose We aim to compare alterations of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following SAC/VAL treatment and its association with clinical outcomes in patients with different HF etiologies. Methods Treatment with angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor for Taiwan heart failure patients (TAROT-HF) study is a multicenter study which enrolled 1552 patients with LVEF <40%, whom had been on SAC/VAL treatment from 9 hospitals between 2017 and 2018. After excluding patients without having follow-up echocardiographic studies, patients were grouped by HF etiologies and by LVEF changes following treatment for 8-month period. LVEF improvement ≥15% was defined as “significant improvement”, 5–15% as “marginal improvement”, and <5% or worse as “lack of improvement”. The primary endpoint was a composite of CV death or a first hospitalization for HF. Mean follow-up period was 726 days. Results A total of 1230 patients were analyzed. Patients with ICM were significantly older, more male, and prone to have associated hypertension and diabetes. On the other hand, patients with NICM had lower LVEF and higher likelihood of atrial fibrillation. LVEF increase was significantly greater in patients with NICM compared to those with ICM (11.2±12.4% vs. 6.9±9.8, p<0.001). The effect of ventricular remodeling of SAC/VAL on patients with NICM showed twin peaks diversity (Significant improvement 37.1%, lack of improvement 42.3%), whereas in patients with ICM the proportions of significant, marginal and lack of improvement groups were 19.4%, 28.2% and 52.4%, respectively. The primary endpoint showed twin peaks diversity also in patients with NICM in line with LVEF changes: adjusted HR for patients with NICM and significant improvement was 0.41 (95% CI 0.29–0.57, p<0.001), for patients with NICM and lack of improvement was 1.54 (95% CI 1.22–1.94, p<0.001). Analyses for CV death, all-cause mortality, and HF readmission demonstrated consistent results. Conclusion Patients with NICM had higher degree of LVEF improvement than those with ICM following SAC/VAL treatment, and significant improvement of LVEF in NICM patients may indicate favorable outcome. NICM patients without response to SAC/VAL treatment should serve as an indicator for poor clinical outcome and warranted meticulous HF management. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Cheng Hsin General Hospital


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Massimi ◽  
C De Vito ◽  
M L Rega ◽  
P Villari ◽  
G Damiani

Abstract Introduction Heart Failure (HF) is a pandemic chronic disease with a prevalence up to 3% in the general population, representing the main cause of hospitalization for people over 65. Self-care plays a central role in the management of patients with HF, showing evidence of effectiveness in reducing re-hospitalization rates and mortality. Methods We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of nurse-led educational interventions Vs usual care in improving self-care skills of patients with chronic HF. The main biomedical databases were searched for Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) of nurse-led educational interventions performed on adults with a previous diagnosis of HF. Improvement of HF self-management skills (self-care level) was summarized by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) stratified for the length of the follow-up. Results Globally, 14 RCTs were included involving 2078 participants. Ten studies showed the efficacy of the interventions at 3 months (short term) with a SMD of 0.78 (95% CI 0.38-1.18) in favor of the self-care education interventions. Five studies reported on self-care abilities at 6-9 months (medium term), not showing statistically significant results (SMD 0.35, 95%CI 0.11-0.81). The long-term effect of the educational interventions showed no statistically significant improvement in self-care behaviors (three studies, SMD 0.05, 95CI% 0.12 - 0.22). Conclusions These results show that nursing educational interventions improve self-care behaviors in HF, but mainly in the short term. Intensive educational interventions led by nurses, associated with appropriate continuity and transition of care, can determine the best outcomes for patients with HF, strengthening self-care behaviors over time. This approach could have a major impact not only on individual level, but on the general reduction of complications, hospitalization, medical costs and ultimately mortality. Key messages Nurse-led educational programs have a short-term efficacy in enhancing self-care behaviors among heart failure patients. Post-discharge repeated educational interventions, along with timely and shared plans ruling the transition between the hospital and the other providers, are strongly needed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1241-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Louise A. Luttik ◽  
Tiny Jaarsma ◽  
Peter Paul van Geel ◽  
Maaike Brons ◽  
Hans L. Hillege ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. S134-S135
Author(s):  
Michelle Fine ◽  
R. Kannan Mutharasan ◽  
Preeti Kansal ◽  
Hannah Alphs Jackson ◽  
Corrine Benacka ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ileana L Pina ◽  
Nancy M Albert ◽  
Gregg M Fonarow ◽  
Gloria Catha ◽  
Patrick Wayte ◽  
...  

Background: Telemonitoring (Tel) of heart failure (HF) patients (pts) post discharge has had variable results. However, Tel systems have not always integrated delivery of relevant pt education. The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes after implementation of the Intel Health Guide System (HGS). HGS was deployed with AHA guideline-based HF protocols for clinical status, symptoms and delivery of relevant pt education to enhance pts’ understanding of and management of HF. Methods: Twenty-six pts post discharge with a HF diagnosis were enrolled. Based on the pts’ clinical status, AHA-HF protocols were deployed into the HGS to assess key vital signs and health questions daily, weekly, or monthly for 60 days. Pts and caregivers were trained in use of the HGS and related peripherals, response to scheduled sessions, and access of educational content independent of scheduled sessions. Health status was assessed by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) pre and post monitoring. Results: Of 26 pts, 62% NYHA were Class II, 29% Class III. Mean age 75.2 ±10.1 yrs; 62% women; 39% African Americans; 23% ischemic. Mean EF = 47% ±16. Adherence was 88%. KCCQ Clinical and Overall scores increased significantly from 49±25 and 51±23 to 63±26 and 65±22, respectively (p=0.039). Thirteen pts (50%) were rehospitalized at mean of 16+5 days, 4 for HF and 9 for other reasons, (30 day rehospitalization rate = 23% all cause; 15% for HF). Median compliance (completing scheduled sessions) and utility (days with activity/monitored) for those not rehospitalized were greater (97.2%, 96.9%) than for those rehospitalized (67.4%, 82.6%; p=0.013, p=0.005, respectively). Using generalized estimating equations, greater utility but not compliance correlated with better health status’ clinical (p=0.013) and overall scores (p=0.0056). Conclusions: This observational study showed feasibility of adding AHA-HF guideline protocols and education content to the HGS. Health status improved post discharge. Although the rehospitalization rate was > 20%, pts who were not readmitted were more likely to have greater Tel utility and compliance. In addition, clinical and overall health status measures improved during the study, and were associated with greater pt utilization of the system.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244485
Author(s):  
Caroline Verhestraeten ◽  
Gijs Weijers ◽  
Daphne Debleu ◽  
Agnieszka Ciarka ◽  
Marc Goethals ◽  
...  

Aims Creation of an algorithm that includes the most important parameters (history, clinical parameters, and anamnesis) that can be linked to heart failure, helping general practitioners in recognizing heart failure in an early stage and in a better follow-up of the patients. Methods and results The algorithm was created using a consensus-based Delphi panel technique with fifteen general practitioners and seven cardiologists from Belgium. The method comprises three iterations with general statements on diagnosis, referral and treatment, and follow-up. Consensus was obtained for the majority of statements related to diagnosis, referral, and follow-up, whereas a lack of consensus was seen for treatment statements. Based on the statements with good and perfect consensus, an algorithm for general practitioners was assembled, helping them in diagnoses and follow-up of heart failure patients. The diagnosis should be based on three essential pillars, i.e. medical history, anamnesis and clinical examination. In case of suspected heart failure, blood analysis, including the measurement of NT-proBNP levels, can already be performed by the general practitioner followed by referral to the cardiologist who is then responsible for proper diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Afterwards, a multidisciplinary health care process between the cardiologist and the general practitioner is crucial with an important role for the general practitioner who has a key role in the up-titration of heart failure medication, down-titration of the dose of diuretics and to assure drug compliance. Conclusions Based on the consensus levels of statements in a Delphi panel setting, an algorithm is created to help general practitioners in the diagnosis and follow-up of heart failure patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Marco Canepa ◽  
Pietro Palmisano ◽  
Gabriele Dell’Era ◽  
Matteo Ziacchi ◽  
Ernesto Ammendola ◽  
...  

The role of prognostic risk scores in predicting the competing risk of non-sudden death in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is unclear. To this goal, we evaluated the accuracy and usefulness of the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) score. The present analysis included 1089 HFrEF ICD recipients enrolled in the OBSERVO-ICD registry (NCT02735811). During a median follow-up of 36 months (1st–3rd IQR 25–48 months), 193 patients (17.7%) experienced at least one appropriate ICD therapy, and 133 patients died (12.2%) without experiencing any ICD therapy. The frequency of patients receiving ICD therapies was stable around 17–19% across increasing tertiles of 3-year MAGGIC probability of death, whereas non-sudden mortality increased (6.4% to 9.8% to 20.8%, p < 0.0001). Accuracy of MAGGIC score was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.56–0.64) for the overall outcome, 0.53 (95% CI, 0.49–0.57) for ICD therapies and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.60–0.70) for non-sudden death. In patients with higher 3-year MAGGIC probability of death, the increase in the competing risk of non-sudden death during follow-up was greater than that of receiving an appropriate ICD therapy. Results were unaffected when analysis was limited to ICD shocks only. The MAGGIC risk score proved accurate and useful in predicting the competing risk of non-sudden death in HFrEF ICD recipients. Estimation of mortality risk should be taken into greater consideration at the time of ICD implantation.


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