Abstract

SALDARRIAGA, Clara I. et al. Clinical impact of heart failure program. Rev. Colomb. Cardiol. [online]. 2016, vol.23, n.4, pp.260-264. ISSN 0120-5633.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rccar.2015.06.012.

Introduction: Heart failure is a public health problem. It generates morbidity in patients, hospital re-admissions and with huge costs to the health system. Objective: To evaluate the impact on functional class, visits to the emergency room, and hospital readmissions in the population of patients treated in a heart failure program of a reference cardiovascular centre in Colombia. Methodology: A retrospective and prospective cohort study was performed. The clinical, demographic characteristics of the patients, admissions to the hospital, emergency room visits, and the costs inherent to their care were analysed one year before and after they were admitted to the heart failure program. Results: A total of 511 patients were included, with a mean age of 66.4 +/- 14.3 years, 58.7% of whom were male. The follow up in the heart failure program included cardiology consultation, nurse evaluations, cardiac rehabilitation, an educational program, and psychological support. After 18 months of follow up, a statistically significant increase in ejection fraction was found in functional class. Emergency room visits decreased by 29.3%, admissions to the hospital decreased by 66.8%, and the length of stay decreased by 37.5. Total mortality was 4%. Conclusion: The multidisciplinary follow up in a heart failure program is feasible in Colombia. It improves the functional class, the ejection fraction, and decreases hospital readmissions and emergency room visits.

Keywords : Heart failure; Health management; Cost benefit analysis; Health status; Hospitality stay.

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