Key result
eHealth interventions show promise for reducing interstage mortality and healthcare utilization in pediatric CHD.
Why the study?
Do eHealth interventions improve clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, and patient well-being in patients with congenital heart disease?
Do eHealth interventions improve clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, and patient well-being in patients with congenital heart disease?
eHealth interventions, particularly home-monitoring and video conferencing, show promise in improving outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization in pediatric patients with severe congenital heart disease, though more robust data are needed.
Supports eHealth integration in pediatric CHD interstage care; extends evidence while requiring larger confirmatory trials.
INTRODUCTION: Mobile health (mHealth), an advanced form of eHealth is expected to drastically change the field of traditional healthcare in the near future as wearables and mobile applications are rapidly increasing in number. The majority of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) now reach adulthood and this relative young patient population seems particularly suited for mHealth, as they require lifelong follow-up, experience high morbidity burden, and were raised in this digital era. In patients with acquired heart disease the potential of eHealth has been demonstrated, yet data are still inconclusive. Areas covered: In this review of the current literature we evaluated the effect of various eHealth interventions in patients with CHD. Our search resulted in a mere 10 studies, which comprised mostly of children or adolescents with severe CHD. Home-monitoring of saturation and weight through mHealth was found to be beneficial in patients after palliation procedures, and video conferencing was found to have a positive effect on anxiety and healthcare utilization. Expert commentary: Due to high morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD and the promising results of eHealth interventions, further research is desperately needed.
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Kauw et al. (2018) conducted a review in Congenital heart disease (n=994). eHealth interventions (home-monitoring, video conferencing, text messaging, online portals) vs. Standard care or telephone support was evaluated. eHealth interventions, including home-monitoring and video conferencing, showed promising results in reducing interstage mortality and healthcare utilization in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.
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