Potential of eHealth smart technology in optimization and monitoring of heart failure treatment in adults with systemic right ventricular failure

AIMS: Patients with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) in the context of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch or congenitally corrected TGA are prone to heart failure and arrhythmias. This study evaluated feasibility, patient adherence, and satisfaction of a smart technology-based care pathway for heart failure treatment optimization in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with symptomatic sRV failure eligible for initiation of sacubitril/valsartan were provided with four smartphone compatible devices (blood pressure monitor, weight scale, step counter, and rhythm monitor) and were managed according to a smart technology-based care pathway. Biweekly sacubitril/valsartan titration visits were replaced by electronical visits, patients were advised to continue measurements at least weekly after titration. Data of 24 consecutive sRV patients (median age 47 years, 50% female) who participated in the smart technology-based care pathway were analysed. Median home-hospital distance was 65 km (maximum 227 km). Most patients (20, 83.3%) submitted weekly measurements; 100% submitted prior to electronical visits. Titration conventionally occurs during a hospital visit. By implementing eHealth smart technology, 68 such trips to hospital were replaced by virtual visits facilitated by remote monitoring. An eHealth questionnaire was completed by 22 patients (92%), and 96% expressed satisfaction. After titration, 30 instances of remote adjustment of heart failure medication in addition to scheduled outpatient clinic visits occurred, one (4%) heart failure admission followed, despite ambulant adjustments. Five patients (21%) sent in rhythm registrations (n = 17), of these 77% showed sinus rhythm, whereas supraventricular tachycardia was detected in the remaining four registrations. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that implementation of a smart technology-based care pathway for optimization of medical treatment sRV failure is feasible with high measurement adherence and patient satisfaction.