The Virtual Expert Patient Programme in phase I cardiac rehab led to significantly lower LDL cholesterol (p=0.002) and higher ≥8 METs achievement (p=0.03) at phase II completion.
Does a Virtual Expert Patient Programme during hospital admission improve cardiovascular risk factor control at the end of phase II cardiac rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular events?
A digital 'Virtual Expert Patient Programme' during phase I cardiac rehabilitation may improve lipid control and exercise capacity at the end of phase II.
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Abstract Introduction The use of telemedicine and m-Health in secondary prevention either in isolation or in combination with cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has proven to be safe and beneficial in the control of cardiovascular risk factors. However, most of digital interventions have been performed in phase II of CR (outpatient phase). The first digital intervention in phase I of CR (acute phase, during hospital admission) is presented: "Virtual Expert Patient Programme". Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the possible additional benefit of a digital intervention during a cardiovascular hospital admission and its influence on the control of cardiovascular risk factors at the end of phase II CR. As a secondary objective, the baseline characteristics of patients who accepted the intervention were assessed. Methods A multicenter prospective follow-up cohort study of 319 patients was conducted. During hospital admission for a cardiovascular event, patients were offered to contact a ‘virtual expert patient’ with a tablet. The patient they contacted had a similar cardiovascular disease, had previously completed the cardiac rehabilitation programme and had been trained by the cardiology team. Results The study includes a total of 319 patients who completed the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme, of whom 55 had participated in the "Virtual Expert Patient Programme" (17,2%). Patients who agreed to have a video call during hospital admission were younger (55 years vs. 61 years; p=0.007), more frequently male (p=0.003), less frequently with high blood pressure (p=0.019) and more frequently with a family history of early coronary heart disease (p=0.025). At the end of the cardiac rehabilitation programme, those who had completed the "Virtual Expert Patient Programme" had lower LDL cholesterol levels (p=0.002) and a higher percentage of patients reached the target of ≥ 8 METs at the end of the programme (p=0.03). Of note, 100% of patients participating in the "Virtual Expert Patient Programme" had an acute myocardial infarction (p=0.011). Lower levels of body mass index, non-HDL cholesterol, apo B, baseline blood glucose and Hb1Ac were observed in the "Virtual Expert Patient Programme" group without reaching statistical significance. There was no difference in smoking cessation rate. Conclusions The "Virtual Expert Patient Programme" is a simple and useful intervention that can help at a vulnerable and uncertain time, such as hospital admission, and could improve lipid control and perhaps other cardiovascular risk factors.Baseline characteristics
Martinez et al. (Sat,) reported a other. The Virtual Expert Patient Programme in phase I cardiac rehab led to significantly lower LDL cholesterol (p=0.002) and higher ≥8 METs achievement (p=0.03) at phase II completion.