Telemedicine technologies in improving the effectiveness of follow-up monitoring of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel approach to follow-up monitoring of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) using telemedicine technologies.Material and methods. The study included 175 patients (mean age, 68,1±7,7 years). Two following groups of patients were formed: the main group (n=86), which used an optimized monitoring program using telemedicine techniques, and the control group (n=89), which assumed traditional monitoring by a cardiologist and a vascular surgeon. The mean follow-up period was 11,77±1,5 months. The optimized monitoring program included the implementation of audio communication with patients by an employee with a secondary medical education with an assessment of the current health status according to original unified questionnaire, with the definition of personalized management tactics. At the primary and final stages, the patient underwent an assessment of clinical and anamnestic data, mental and cognitive status, and compliance.Results. At the final stage, uncompensated hypertension was revealed in 36,0% and 49,4% (p=0,0001), smoking — in 30,6% and 42,9% (p=0,05) in the main and control group, respectively. In the main group, a greater pain-free walking distance was revealed — 625,8±395,3 m (control group — 443±417 m (p=0,013)). The average systolic blood pressure was 125,2±10,2 mm Hg and 138,8±15,8 mm Hg (p=0,0001) in the main and control group, respectively. In the control group, a greater number of patients with a high level of personal and situational anxiety were revealed (p=0,05). In the main group, a higher level of adherence to therapy was established at the final study stage (p=0,001).Conclusion. The optimized monitoring program for patients with limited mobility is effective and can be implemented in practical healthcare for patients with lower extremity PAD.