Multifaceted Strategy Based on Automated Text Messaging After a Recent Heart Failure Admission: The MESSAGE-HF...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) readmissions pose a significant healthcare challenge.
• Identifying effective strategies to manage patients post-hospitalization is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of an intensive telemonitoring strategy.
• To evaluate its impact during the vulnerable period following HF hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 699 patients across 30 HF clinics in Brazil.
• Patients received either telemonitoring (daily text messages, automated alerts) or standard care.
• Primary endpoint: change in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 180 days; secondary: composite clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Telemonitoring was feasible and well-accepted (net promoter score 78.5).
• HF self-care scores significantly improved in the telemonitoring group compared to standard care.
• No significant difference was observed in NT-proBNP levels or the composite clinical outcome between groups.

Conclusions:

• Intensive telemonitoring is a viable and acceptable approach post-HF hospitalization.
• While it enhances patient self-care, it did not demonstrate significant clinical benefits in reducing NT-proBNP or major adverse events in this trial.