Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca / Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar de los avances en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) sigue teniendo una alta morbimortalidad. El tratamiento de las comorbilidades y la educación sanitaria se han demostrado eficaces, así como la atención multidisciplinar, en unidades especializadas, aunque ello implica un esfuerzo organizativo y estructural no siempre disponible. Presentamos los resultados de una consulta ambulatoria simple, centrada en la atención monográfica a la IC. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: La consulta incluyó a pacientes dados de alta tras una hospitalización (ingreso índice) por descompensación de IC en el servicio de Medicina Interna. El seguimiento se realizó por internistas con especial dedicación (no exclusiva) en IC y una enfermera con dedicación compartida. El seguimiento consistió en visitas fijas 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses tras el alta, más visitas a demanda en caso de necesidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 250 pacientes con un seguimiento mínimo de un año. La disminución de los ingresos y las visitas a Urgencias por IC fue del 56 y el 61% (p < 0,05), respectivamente, y del 46 y el 40% (p < 0,05) por cualquier causa. Además, se consiguió una optimización del tratamiento, con un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de prescripción de fármacos basados en la evidencia y reducción de otros, como calcioantagonistas. CONCLUSIÓN: Un modelo sencillo basado en la atención monográfica a la IC es eficaz en la reducción de reingresos y la optimización del tratamiento. La carencia de recursos asistenciales no debería suponer un obstáculo para una atención monográfica a pacientes con IC

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF

Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure. / Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF.