Innovative Remote Management Solutions for the Control of Hypertension.

We stand at a critical juncture in the delivery of health care for hypertension. Blood pressure control rates have stagnated, and traditional health care is failing. Fortunately, hypertension is exceptionally well-suited to remote management, and innovative digital solutions are proliferating. Early strategies arose with the spread of digital medicine, long before the COVID-19 pandemic forced lasting changes to the way medicine is practiced. Highlighting one contemporary example, this review explores salient features of remote management hypertensive programs, including: an automated algorithm to guide clinical decisions, home (as opposed to office) blood pressure measurements, an interdisciplinary care team, and robust information technology and analytics. Dozens of emerging hypertension management solutions are contributing to a highly fragmented and competitive landscape. Beyond viability, profit and scalability are critical. We explore the challenges impeding large-scale acceptance of these programs and conclude with a hopeful look to the future when remote hypertension care will have dramatic impact on global cardiovascular health.

Remote Cardiovascular Hypertension Program Enhanced Blood Pressure Control During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional health care; one fallout was a drastic decrease in blood pressure (BP) assessment. We analyzed the pandemic's impact on our existing remote hypertension management program's effectiveness and adaptability. Methods and Results This retrospective observational analysis evaluated BP control in an entirely remote management program before and during the pandemic. A team of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physicians, and nonlicensed navigators used an evidence-based clinical algorithm to optimize hypertensive treatment. The algorithm was adapted during the pandemic to simplify BP control. Overall, 1256 patients (605 enrolled in the 6 months before the pandemic shutdown in March 2020 and 651 in the 6 months after) were a median age of 63 years old, 57% female, and 38.2% non-White. Among enrolled patients with sustained hypertension, 51.1% reached BP goals. Within this group, rates of achieving goal BP improved to 94.6% during the pandemic from 75.8% prepandemic (P<0.0001). Mean baseline home BP was 141.7/81.9 mm Hg during the pandemic and 139.8/82.2 prepandemic, and fell ≈16/9 mm Hg in both periods (P<0.0001). Maintenance during the pandemic was achieved earlier (median 11.8 versus 19.6 weeks, P<0.0001), with more frequent monthly calls (8.2 versus 3.1, P<0.0001) and more monthly home BP recordings per patient (32.4 versus 18.9, P<0.0001), compared with the prepandemic period. Conclusions A remote clinical management program was successfully adapted and delivered significant improvements in BP control and increased home BP monitoring despite a nationally observed disruption of traditional hypertension care. Such programs have the potential to transform hypertension management and care delivery.

An evaluation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy delivered remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In addition to having a negative impact on the physical and emotional health of the population, the global Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated psychotherapists moving their practice to online environments. This service evaluation examines the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy delivered via the internet. METHODS: A real-world service evaluation was conducted from a self-selecting group of EMDR therapists that subscribe to either a JISCMail discussion list or either the UK or All Ireland National EMDR Associations. Author designed questionnaires were used to gather information on the efficacy of EMDR delivered online as well as client and therapist characteristics. RESULTS: Thirty-three therapists provided efficacy data on a total of 93 patients. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions were found in all four-psychometrics used both in adult and children and young people populations. Client outcome was not related to therapist experience. CONCLUSIONS: EMDR delivered via the internet can be an effective treatment for clients experiencing mental health issues.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis With COVID-19 Infection in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Taking SGLT2 Inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is associated with poor outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has also been reported to occur with this virus. A cluster of cases of euglycemic DKA (euDKA) was identified in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) who developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: The cases were identified by the authors while providing clinical care, and details were collected. RESULTS: Five cases of euDKA, presenting with glucose levels <300 mg/dL, were identified over the course of 2 months by the endocrinology consult service. All patients had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus with no known history of DKA. All were taking SGLT2is. Oral antihyperglycemic medications were stopped for all patients on admission. All received intravenous insulin infusion to treat DKA before being transitioned to a subcutaneous insulin regimen. SGLT2i use was discontinued for all patients who were discharged. CONCLUSION: EuDKA has been seen in the setting of acute illness in patients using SGLT2is, but this cluster of cases suggests that there is a specific association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition to the known risk of euDKA with SGLT2i use, coronavirus disease 2019-specific mechanisms may include a direct toxic effect of the virus on the pancreatic islets, an accelerated inflammatory response promoting ketosis, and the diuretic effect of SGLT2i in conjunction with anorexia and vomiting. It is crucial to counsel patients to stop SGLT2is when sick, especially if SARS-CoV-2 infection is suspected.