TY - JOUR

T1 - Effectiveness of out-patient based acute heart failure care: A pilot randomised controlled trial

AU - Wong, K.Y.K.

AU - Hughes, Dyfrig

AU - Debski, M.

AU - Latt, N.

AU - Assaf, O.

AU - Abdelrahman, A.

AU - Taylor, R.

AU - Allgar, V.

AU - McNeill, L.

AU - Howard, S.

AU - Wong, S.Y.S.

AU - Jones, R.

AU - Cassidy, C.J.

AU - Seed, A.

AU - Galasko, G.

AU - Clark, A.

AU - Davis, G.K.

AU - Montasem, A.

AU - Lang, C.C.

AU - Kalra, P.R.

AU - Campbell, R.

AU - Lip, G.Y.H.

AU - Cleland, J.G.F.

PY - 2023/10

Y1 - 2023/10

N2 - Objectives: Acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalisation is associated with 10% mortality. Outpatient based management (OPM) of AHF appeared effective in observational studies. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing OPM with standard inpatient care (IPM).Methods: We randomised patients with AHF, considered to need IV diuretic treatment for >2 days, to IPM or OPM. We recorded all-cause mortality, and the number of days alive and out-of-hospital (DAOH). Quality of life, mental well-being and Hope scores were assessed. Mean NHS cost savings and 95% central range (CR) were calculated from bootstrap analysis.Follow-up: 60 days.Results: Eleven patients were randomised to IPM and thirteen to OPM. There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality during the index episode (1/11 vs 0/13) and up to 60 days follow-up (2/11 vs 2/13) [p=0.86]. The OPM group accrued more DAOH {47 [36,51] vs 59 [41,60], p=0.13}. Two patients randomised to IPM (vs 6 OPM) were readmitted [p=0.31]. Hope scores increased more with OPM within 30 days but dropped to lower levels than IPM by 60 days. More out-patients had increased total well-being scores by 60 days (p=0.04). OPM was associated with mean cost savings of £2,658 (95% CR 460 - 4,857) per patient.Conclusions: Patients with acute HF randomised to OPM accrued more days alive out of hospital (albeit not statistically significantly in this small pilot study). OPM is favoured by patients and carers and is associated with improved mental well-being and cost savings.

AB - Objectives: Acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalisation is associated with 10% mortality. Outpatient based management (OPM) of AHF appeared effective in observational studies. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing OPM with standard inpatient care (IPM).Methods: We randomised patients with AHF, considered to need IV diuretic treatment for >2 days, to IPM or OPM. We recorded all-cause mortality, and the number of days alive and out-of-hospital (DAOH). Quality of life, mental well-being and Hope scores were assessed. Mean NHS cost savings and 95% central range (CR) were calculated from bootstrap analysis.Follow-up: 60 days.Results: Eleven patients were randomised to IPM and thirteen to OPM. There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality during the index episode (1/11 vs 0/13) and up to 60 days follow-up (2/11 vs 2/13) [p=0.86]. The OPM group accrued more DAOH {47 [36,51] vs 59 [41,60], p=0.13}. Two patients randomised to IPM (vs 6 OPM) were readmitted [p=0.31]. Hope scores increased more with OPM within 30 days but dropped to lower levels than IPM by 60 days. More out-patients had increased total well-being scores by 60 days (p=0.04). OPM was associated with mean cost savings of £2,658 (95% CR 460 - 4,857) per patient.Conclusions: Patients with acute HF randomised to OPM accrued more days alive out of hospital (albeit not statistically significantly in this small pilot study). OPM is favoured by patients and carers and is associated with improved mental well-being and cost savings.

KW - Acute heart failure

KW - Cost Effectiveness

KW - health economics

KW - Healthcare delivery

KW - Heart Failure

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1080/00015385.2023.2197834

DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/00015385.2023.2197834

M3 - Article

VL - 78

SP - 828

EP - 837

JO - Acta Cardiologica

JF - Acta Cardiologica

SN - 0001-5385

IS - 7

ER -