The efficacy of telemedical care for heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The efficacy of telemedical care for the treatment of heart failure remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of telemedical care on heart failure.

METHODS:

We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through October 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of telemedical care on heart failure. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

RESULTS:

Four RCTs involving 2516 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for heart failure, telemedical care demonstrates no significant influence on cardiovascular death (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.54 to 1.00; P = 0.05), mortality (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.61 to 1.20; P = 0.38), hospital stay for heart failure (SMD = -1.57; 95% CI = -6.31 to 3.16; P = 0.52) or hospital stay for any readmission (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI = -8.98 to 7.68; P = 0.88), but can reduce the days lost due to death or heart failure readmissions (SMD = -6.50; 95% CI = -8.44 to -4.56; P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Telemedical care may provide no additional benefits for heart failure.

• Authors: XuHui Ma, Jie Li, XiuZan Ren
• Journal: The American journal of emergency medicine (Am J Emerg Med) Vol. 47 Pg. 1-5 (09 2021) ISSN: 1532-8171 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33744485 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Heart Failure (mortality, therapy)
• Humans
• Length of Stay (statistics & numerical data)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Readmission (statistics & numerical data)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Telemedicine (statistics & numerical data)