ABSTRACT
Aims: Underutilization of guideline-directed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) medications contributes to poor outcomes. Methods and results: A pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a home-based remote monitoring system for HFrEF management was performed. The system included wearable armband monitors paired with the smartphone application. An HFrEF medication titration algorithm was used to adjust medication daily. The primary endpoint was HFrEF medication utilization at 120 days. Twenty patients (60.5 ± 8.2 years, men: 85%) with HFrEF were recruited. All received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) at recruitment; 45% received ≥50% maximal targeted dose (MTD) with % MTD of 44.4 ± 31.7%. At baseline, 90 and 70% received beta-adrenergic blocker and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), 35% received ≥50% MTD beta-adrenergic blocker with % MTD of 34.1 ± 29.6%, and 25% received ≥50% MTD MRA with % MTD of 25.0 ± 19.9%. At 120 days, 70% received ≥50% MTD ACEI/ARB/ARNI (P = 0.110) with % MTD increased to 64.4 ± 33.5% (P = 0.060). The proportion receiving ≥50% MTD ARNI increased from 15 to 55% (P = 0.089) with % MTD ARNI increased from 20.6 ± 30.9 to 53.1 ± 39.5% (P = 0.006*). More patients received ≥50% MTD MRA (65 vs. 25%, P = 0.011*) with % MTD MRA increased from 25.0 ± 19.9 to 46.2 ± 28.8% (P = 0.009*). Ninety-five per cent of patients had reduced NT-proBNP with the percentage reduction of 26.7 ± 19.7%. Conclusion: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction medication escalation with remote monitoring appeared feasible.
ABSTRACT
Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction pose a significant challenge to the managing physician. Conventional pharmacological therapy for systolic heart failure has not been proven beneficial in this setting. Ivabradine, a selective current inhibitor, decreases the spontaneous firing rate of sinoatrial nodal cells, thereby reducing the heart rate, and has been shown to reduce a composite end-point of heart failure hospitalization and mortality in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Herein are reported details of the hemodynamic effects and clinical outcome of ivabradine treatment in an 86-year-old man with severe AS and severe left ventricular systolic function.
