Multifaceted strategy based on automated text messaging after a recent heart failure admission: the MESSAGE-HF Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE: Readmissions after an index heart failure (HF) hospitalization are a major contemporary health care problem. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an intensive telemonitoring strategy in the vulnerable period after an HF hospitalization. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 30 HF clinics in Brazil. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% and access to mobile phones were enrolled up to 30 days after an HF admission. Data were collected from July 2019 to July 2022. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to a telemonitoring strategy or standard care. The telemonitoring group received 4 daily short message service text messages to optimize self-care, active engagement, and early intervention. Red flags based on feedback messages triggered automatic diuretic adjustment and/or a telephone call from the health care team. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was change in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) from baseline to 180 days. A hierarchical win-ratio analysis incorporating blindly adjudicated clinical events (cardiovascular deaths and HF hospitalization) and variation in NT-proBNP was also performed. RESULTS: Of 699 included patients, 460 (65.8%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 61.2 (14.5) years. A total of 352 patients were randomly assigned to the telemonitoring strategy and 347 to standard care. Satisfaction with the telemonitoring strategy was excellent (net promoting score at 180 days, 78.5). HF self-care increased significantly in the telemonitoring group compared with the standard care group (score difference at 30 days, -2.21; 95% CI, -3.67 to -0.74; P = .001; score difference at 180 days, -2.08; 95% CI, -3.59 to -0.57; P = .004). Variation of NT-proBNP was similar in the telemonitoring group compared with the standard care group (telemonitoring: baseline, 2593 pg/mL; 95% CI, 2314-2923; 180 days, 1313 pg/mL; 95% CI, 1117-1543; standard care: baseline, 2396 pg/mL; 95% CI, 2122-2721; 180 days, 1319 pg/mL; 95% CI, 1114-1564; ratio of change, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.77-1.11; P = .39). Hierarchical analysis of the composite outcome demonstrated a similar number of wins in both groups (telemonitoring, 49 883 of 122 144 comparisons [40.8%]; standard care, 48 034 of 122 144 comparisons [39.3%]; win ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-1.26). CONCLUSIONS and relevance: An intensive telemonitoring strategy applied in the vulnerable period after an HF admission was feasible, well-accepted, and increased scores of HF self-care but did not translate to reductions in NT-proBNP levels nor improvement in a composite hierarchical clinical outcome.

The five-point Likert scale for dyspnea can properly assess the degree of pulmonary congestion and predict adverse events in heart failure outpatients

OBJECTIVES: Proper assessment of dyspnea is important in patients with heart failure. Our aim was to evaluate the use of the 5-point Likert scale for dyspnea to assess the degree of pulmonary congestion and to determine the prognostic value of this scale for predicting adverse events in heart failure outpatients. METHODS: We undertook a prospective study of outpatients with moderate to severe heart failure. The 5-point Likert scale was applied during regular outpatient visits, along with clinical assessments. Lung ultrasound with ≥15 B-lines and an amino-terminal portion of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level >1000 pg/mL were used as a reference for pulmonary congestion. The patients were then assessed every 30 days during follow-up to identify adverse clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We included 58 patients (65.5% male, age 43.5±11 years) with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 27±6%. In total, 29.3% of these patients had heart failure with ischemic etiology. Additionally, pulmonary congestion, as diagnosed by lung ultrasound, was present in 58% of patients. A higher degree of dyspnea (3 or 4 points on the 5-point Likert scale) was significantly correlated with a higher number of B-lines (p = 0.016). Patients stratified into Likert = 3-4 were at increased risk of admission compared with those in class 1-2 after adjusting for age, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class and levels of NT-proBNP >1000 pg/mL (HR = 4.9, 95% CI 1.33-18.64, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In our series, higher baseline scores on the 5-point Likert scale were related to pulmonary congestion and were independently associated with adverse events during follow-up. This simple clinical tool can help to identify patients who are more likely to decompensate and whose treatment should be intensified. .

Intervenção coronária pelas vias radial ou femoral no infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST: um, a visão da prática clínica contemporânea / Coronary intevention by radial or femoral access in acute St-Segment elevation myocardial infarction: the real-world clinical practice

Introdução: A via radial é um acesso seguro para procedimentos percutâneos e reduz as complicações vasculares locais. Neste estudo comparou-se a evolução hospitalar de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea primária (ICPp) por via radial vs. via femoral. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo com pacientes consecutivamente atendidos entre dezembro de 2009 e maio de 2011. Resultados: Foram incluídos 794 pacientes, 82 (10,3%) tratados por via radial e 712 (89,7%), por via femoral. Pacientes do grupo radial eram mais jovens (56,2 ± 10,7 anos vs. 61,2 ± 11,9 anos; P < 0,01), mais frequentemente do sexo masculino (78% vs. 68%; P = 0,06), com menor prevalência de diabetes (9,8% vs. 20%; P = 0,02) e maior fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (61,2 ± 11,8% vs. 55,5 ± 12,1%; P = 0,05). Não houve diferença em relação à maior parte das características angiográficas. Tromboaspiração (44% vs. 31%; P = 0,01) e administração de glicoproteína IIb/IIIa (41% vs. 26%; P = 0,004) foram mais utilizadas no grupo radial. O fluxo TIMI 3 final (93% vs. 88%; P = 0,47) e o blush miocárdico 3 (70% vs. 66%; P = 0,87) foram semelhantes entre os grupos. Não foram observadas diferenças em relação a óbito (7,5% vs. 8,4%; P = 0,78), reinfarto (4,9% vs. 4,4%; P = 0,77), revascularização de urgência (3,7% vs. 4,1%; P > 0,99), trombose do stent (2,4% vs. 3%; P > 0,99), sangramento maior (0 vs. 1,6%; P = 0,61) ou sangramento menor (5,3% vs. 7,3%; P = 0,81). Conclusões: A abordagem transradial mostrou-se segura e efetiva, com resultados semelhantes aos da abordagem transfemoral em pacientes com IAMCSST.

BACKGROUND: Radial access is a safe approach for percutaneous procedures and reduces local vascular complications. This study compared the hospital outcomes of patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) using the radial vs. femoral approaches. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with consecutive patients treated between December 2009 and May 2011. RESULTS: Seven hundred and ninety-four patients were included, 82 (10.3%) treated by radial access and 712 (89.7%) treated by femoral access. Radial access patients were younger (56.2 ± 10,7 years vs. 61,2 ± 11,9 years; P < 0.01), more often male (78% vs. 68%; P = 0.06), had a lower prevalence of diabetes (9.8% vs. 20%; P = 0.02) and higher left ventricle ejection fraction (61.2 ± 11.8% vs. 55.5 ± 12.1%; P = 0.05). There was no difference for most angiographic characteristics. Thromboaspiration (44% vs. 31%; P = 0.01) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa administration (41% vs. 26%; P = 0.004) were used more often in the radial group. The final TIMI 3 flow (93% vs. 88%; P = 0.47) and myocardial blush grade 3 (70% vs. 66%; P = 0.87) were similar between groups. There were no differences for death (7.5% vs. 8.4%; P = 0.78), reinfarction (4.9% vs. 4.4%; P = 0.77), emergency revascularization (3.7% vs. 4.1%; P > 0.99), stent thrombosis (2.4% vs. 3%; P > 0.99), major bleeding (0 vs. 1.6%; P = 0.61) or minor bleeding (5.3% vs. 7.3%; P = 0.81) rates. CONCLUSIONS: The transradial approach has proven to be safe and effective with similar results to transfemoral approach in patients with STEMI.