Differences in management of telemedicine alerts on weekdays and public holidays: Results from the OptiLink heart failure trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110393
Author(s):  
Jan Wintrich ◽  
Valerie Pavlicek ◽  
Johannes Brachmann ◽  
Ralph Bosch ◽  
Christian Butter ◽  
...  

Background In the OptiLink heart failure study, timely and appropriate reactions to telemedicine alerts improved clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. This analysis investigates the relation between the weekday of alert transmission and the subsequent patient contact. Methods In patients enrolled in the intervention arm of the OptiLink heart failure study ( n = 505, age 66.1 ± 10.1, 77.2% male, left-ventricular ejection fraction 26.7% ± 6.1%), fluid index threshold crossing alerts were analysed according to the weekday of the transmission. Transmissions on Mondays–Thursdays were categorized as TD1, Fridays–Sundays as well as public holidays as TD2. Results Of 1365 transmitted alerts, 867 (63.5%) were categorized as TD1 and 498 (36.5%) as TD2. Same day telephone contacts were more frequent in TD1 (46.2%) than in TD2 (18.3%; p < 0.001). Accordingly, the median time to contact was significantly longer in TD2 compared with TD1 (2(1–3) vs 0(0–1) days; p < 0.001). Rates of no telephone contact were no different between the groups (12.1% vs 12.4%; p = 0.866). Although signs of worsening heart failure were prevalent in 32.4% in TD1 versus 32.1% in TD2 ( p = 0.996), initiation of a pharmacological intervention occurred more likely in TD1 compared with TD2 (27.9% vs 22.9%; p = 0.041). No differences existed concerning hospitalization for heart failure within 30 days after alert transmission (3.9% vs 3.4%; p = 0.636). Conclusion Alert transmissions during weekends and public holidays were less likely associated with timely patient contacts and initiation of pharmacological interventions than during the week. Telemedical centres providing 24/7 remote monitoring service and specific education programmes for physicians might help to optimize patient care.

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Chunbin ◽  
Wang Han ◽  
Cai Lin

Abstract. Vitamin D deficiency commonly occurs in chronic heart failure. Whether additional vitamin D supplementation can be beneficial to adults with chronic heart failure remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched on September 8, 2016. Seven randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular outcomes in adults with chronic heart failure, and comprised 592 patients, were included in the analysis. Compared to placebo, vitamin D, at doses ranging from 2,000 IU/day to 50,000 IU/week, could not improve left ventricular ejection fraction (Weighted mean difference, WMD = 3.31, 95% confidence interval, CL = −0.93 to 7.55, P < 0.001, I2 = 92.1%); it also exerts no beneficial effects on the 6 minute walk distance (WMD = 18.84, 95% CL = −24.85 to 62.52, P = 0.276, I2 = 22.4%) and natriuretic peptide (Standardized mean difference, SMD = −0.39, 95% confidence interval CL = −0.48 to 0.69, P < 0.001, I2 = 92.4%). However, a dose-response analysis from two studies demonstrated an improved left ventricular ejection fraction with vitamin D at a dose of 4,000 IU/day (WMD = 6.58, 95% confidence interval CL = −4.04 to 9.13, P = 0.134, I2 = 55.4%). The results showed that high dose vitamin D treatment could potentially benefit adults with chronic heart failure, but more randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this result.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Charlotte Eitel ◽  
Gerhard Hindricks ◽  
Christopher Piorkowski ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an efficacious and cost-effective therapy in patients with highly symptomatic systolic heart failure and delayed ventricular conduction. Current guidelines recommend CRT as a class I indication for patients with sinus rhythm, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or ambulatory class IV, a QRS duration ≥120ms, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, despite optimal pharmacological therapy. Recent trials resulted in an extension of current recommendations to patients with mild heart failure, patients with atrial fibrillation, and patients with an indication for permanent right ventricular pacing with the aim of morbidity reduction. The effectiveness of CRT in patients with narrow QRS, patients with end-stage heart failure and cardiogenic shock, and patients with an LVEF >35% still needs to be proved. This article reviews current evidence and clinical applications of CRT in heart failure and provides an outlook on future developments.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otto A Smiseth ◽  
Anders Opdahl ◽  
Espen Boe ◽  
Helge Skulstad

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HF-PEF), sometimes named diastolic heart failure, is a common condition most frequently seen in the elderly and is associated with arterial hypertension and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Symptoms are attributed to a stiff left ventricle with compensatory elevation of filling pressure and reduced ability to increase stroke volume by the Frank-Starling mechanism. LV interaction with stiff arteries aggravates these problems. Prognosis is almost as severe as for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF), in part reflecting co-morbidities. Before the diagnosis of HF-PEF is made, non-cardiac etiologies must be excluded. Due to the non-specific nature of heart failure symptoms, it is essential to search for objective evidence of diastolic dysfunction which, in the absence of invasive data, is done by echocardiography and demonstration of signs of elevated LV filling pressure, impaired LV relaxation, or increased LV diastolic stiffness. Antihypertensive treatment can effectively prevent HF-PEF. Treatment of HF-PEF is symptomatic, with similar drugs as in HF-REF.


Author(s):  
С.А. Крыжановский ◽  
И.Б. Цорин ◽  
Е.О. Ионова ◽  
В.Н. Столярук ◽  
М.Б. Вититнова ◽  
...  

Цель исследования - разработка трансляционной модели хронической сердечной недостаточности (ХСН) у крыс, позволяющей, с одной стороны, изучить тонкие механизмы, лежащие в основе данной патологии, а с другой стороны, выявить новые биомишени для поиска и изучения механизма действия инновационных лекарственных средств. Методика. Использован комплекс эхокардиографических, морфологических, биохимических и молекулярно-биологических исследований, позволяющий оценивать и дифференцировать этапы формирования ХСН. Результаты. Динамические эхокардиографические исследования показали, что ХСН формируется через 90 дней после воспроизведения переднего трансмурального инфаркта миокарда. К этому времени у животных основной группы отмечается статистически значимое по сравнению со 2-ми сут. после воспроизведения экспериментального инфаркта миокарда снижение ФВ левого желудочка сердца (соответственно 55,9 ± 1,4 и 63,9 ± 1,6%, р = 0,0008). Снижение насосной функции сердца (на 13% по сравнению со 2-ми сут. после операции и на ~40% по сравнению с интактными животными) сопровождается увеличением КСР и КДР (соответственно с 2,49 ± 0,08 до 3,91 ± 0,17 мм, р = 0,0002, и с 3,56 ± 0,11 до 5,20 ± 0,19 мм, р = 0,0001), то есть к этому сроку развивается сердечная недостаточность. Результаты эхокардиографических исследований подтверждены данными морфометрии миокарда, продемонстрировавшими дилатацию правого и левого желудочков сердца. Параллельно проведенные гистологические исследования свидетельствуют о наличии патогномоничных для данной патологии изменений миокарда (постинфарктный кардиосклероз, компенсаторная гипертрофия кардиомиоцитов, очаги исчезновения поперечной исчерченности мышечных волокон и т.д.) и признаков венозного застоя в легких и печени. Биохимические исследования выявили значимое увеличение концентрации в плазме крови биохимического маркера ХСН - мозгового натрийуретического пептида. Данные молекулярно-биологических исследований позволяют говорить о наличии гиперактивности ренин-ангиотензин-альдостероновой и симпатоадреналовой систем, играющих ключевую роль в патогенезе ХСН. Заключение. Разработана трансляционная модель ХСН у крыс, воспроизводящая основные клинико-диагностические критерии этого заболевания. Показано наличие корреляции между морфометрическими, гистологическими, биохимическими и молекулярными маркерами прогрессирующей ХСН и эхокардиографическими диагностическими признаками, что позволяет использовать неинвазивный метод эхокардиографии, характеризующий состояние внутрисердечной гемодинамики, в качестве основного критерия оценки наличия/отсутствия данной патологии. Aim. Development of a translational model for chronic heart failure (CHF) in rats to identify new biotargets for finding and studying mechanisms of innovative drug effect in this disease. Methods. A set of echocardiographic, morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods was used to evaluate and differentiate stages of CHF development. Results. Dynamic echocardiographic studies showed that CHF developed in 90 days after anterior transmural myocardial infarction. By that time, left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly decreased in animals of the main group compared with rats studied on day 2 after experimental myocardial infarction (55.9 ± 1.4% vs . 63.9 ± 1.6%, respectively, p<0.0008). The decrease in heart’s pumping function (by 13% compared with day 2 after infarction and by approximately 40% compared to intact animals) was associated with increased ESD and EDD (from 2.49 ± 0.08 to 3.91 ± 0.17 mm, p = 0.0002, and from 3.56 ± 0.11 to 5.20 ± 0.19 mm, respectively, p = 0.0001); therefore, heart failure developed by that time. The results of echocardiographic studies were confirmed by myocardial morphometry, which demonstrated dilatation of both right and left ventricles. Paralleled histological studies indicated presence of the changes pathognomonic for this myocardial pathology (postinfarction cardiosclerosis, compensatory hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, foci of disappeared transverse striation of muscle fibers, etc.) and signs of venous congestion in lungs and liver. Biochemical studies demonstrated a significant increase in plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide, a biochemical marker of CHF. Results of molecular studies suggested hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathoadrenal systems, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of CHF. Conclusions. A translational model of CHF in rats was developed, which reproduced major clinical and diagnostic criteria for this disease. Morphometric, histological, biochemical, and molecular markers for progressive CHF were correlated with echocardiographic diagnostic signs, which allows using this echocardiographic, noninvasive method characterizing the intracardiac hemodynamics as a major criterion for the presence / absence of this pathology.


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