Key result
Smartphone app monitoring of 17 LVAD patients identified 3 clusters of issues (physiologic, behavioral, symptoms) that generally improved by months 3-6, except for persistently abnormal INR levels.
Why the study?
To explore the type and frequency of patient-reported issues via a smartphone application (VAD Care App) used for LVAD self-care monitoring and reporting post-hospital discharge.
What types and frequencies of issues are reported by patients using a smartphone app for LVAD self-care monitoring post-discharge?
Observational (n=17)
What types and frequencies of issues are reported by patients using a smartphone app for LVAD self-care monitoring post-discharge?
A smartphone app for LVAD self-care monitoring identified that while most physiologic and behavioral issues improve after the first month post-discharge, abnormal INR levels remain a persistent challenge.
The purpose of this study was to explore the information reported by patients via a smartphone application (VAD Care App) used for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) self-care monitoring and reporting post hospital discharge. Specific aims were to examine the type and frequency of issues reported by patients through the app during months 1, 3, and 6 postdischarge. An exploratory-descriptive research design was used with 17 patients (12 males and 5 females) with durable LVADs, mean age of 48.6 ± 16 years. Data generated by the patients' daily smartphone app usage more than 6 months were extracted from the server. Data were coded and clustered according to issues reported by patients via the app and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Three clusters of issues were found: physiologic, behavioral (self-care), and signs and symptoms. LVAD flows and pulsatility indices, hypertension, driveline care, and heart failure symptoms were worse at month 1, and then appeared to improve at months 3-6. However, abnormal levels of the international normalization ratio were common at all assessment points. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of the reported issues on treatment outcomes, then develop and test interventions to inform evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines for smartphone apps used in LVAD self-care monitoring.
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Casida et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation (n=17). Smartphone application (VAD Care App) for self-care monitoring was evaluated on Type and frequency of issues reported by patients through the app during months 1, 3, and 6 postdischarge. Smartphone app monitoring of 17 LVAD patients identified 3 clusters of issues (physiologic, behavioral, symptoms) that generally improved by months 3-6, except for persistently abnormal INR levels.
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