884 Implementation of Therapeutic Strategies in Hfref Patients Equipped With a Digital App

Abstract

Background The comprehensive management of patients affected by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) should pursue the goals of improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations. Disease amelioration and cardiovascular mortality reduction are currently obtained by following guidelines-directed medical therapy (GDMT) that includes beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), diuretics and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs); recently, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) have been added on top of previous drugs, but real-world data are yet missing. Whether clinical management of patients affected by HFrEF bearing either implantable cardioverter/defibrillators (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D) with a digital application (App) might further reduce hospitalization for HF independently of GDMT yet needs to be addressed. Materials and methods From February 2021 to June 2022 a total of 28 patients with HFrEF in GDMT previously undergone ICD/CRT-D implants were remotely monitored at our institution. Patients were instructed to download a dedicated application (MYTRIAGEHF) on their smartphones/tablets. Clinical data were retrieved monthly, through the App, according to data sent from answering to the following questions: i) shortness of breath; ii) feet, legs or ankles swelling; iii) feeling tired; iv) fatigue, lack of energy; v) weight gain in the last 3 days; vi) inconstant intake of diuretic therapy. Medical therapy was optimized accordingly. Results Satisfaction and regular use of the app was reported by 18/28 patients; most data came from ICD-implanted subjects (n=12, 75% dual chamber; 25% single chamber), while remaining were CRT-D. Eleven percent of App-users received SGLT2 inhibitors on top of medical therapy. Remarkably, only one patient of the non-App group was treated with SGLT2 inhibitors on top of medical therapy. Remaining non-App users as well as patients not in therapy with SGLT2 inhibitors are lost at follow-up; they presented with ischemic etiology in most cases and significantly reduced ejection fraction compared to App-group. Conclusion Our cohort demonstrated that implementing therapy with SGLT2 inhibitors and/or digital applications that follow patients remotely are valuable tools for the optimization of HFrEF clinical condition. Although cause and effect cannot be decisive from this study, the utilization of remote monitoring for therapy adjustments requires further investigation. The use of digital technologies to ensure a more personalized decision-making process will lead better care assistance.