Randomised trial of telephone intervention in chronic heart failure: DIAL trial

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of hospital admissions.
• Effective outpatient management strategies are crucial for improving CHF patient outcomes.
• Telephone-based interventions offer a scalable approach to patient monitoring and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a centralized telephone intervention in reducing death or hospital admission for worsening heart failure.
• To assess the impact of this intervention on patient quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 1518 outpatients with stable chronic heart failure.
• Patients were randomized to receive either usual care or a telephone intervention including education, counseling, and monitoring.
• The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or hospital admission for worsening heart failure.

Main Results:

• The telephone intervention group showed a 20% relative risk reduction in the primary endpoint (death or hospital admission for heart failure) compared to usual care (26.3% vs. 31%).
• A significant reduction in heart failure admissions (29% relative risk reduction) was observed in the intervention group.
• Patients receiving the telephone intervention reported a better quality of life.

Conclusions:

• A simple, centralized telephone intervention program is effective in reducing hospital admissions for heart failure.
• This approach improves patient outcomes and quality of life in chronic heart failure management.
• Telephone-based care represents a valuable strategy for managing heart failure patients in outpatient settings.