DIGITAL HEALTH FOR HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AND LVAD PATIENTS: A NEW PARADIGM OF HOME CARE

Background and Aim: Digital health through mobile applications and wearable devices can be a valid tool to improve outpatient follow-up. We started a program (CURE-AT-HOME) to promote healthy lifestyles, physical activity, dietary guidelines, and encouraging self-monitoring for heart transplant recipients (TCOp) within their first year post-transplant and for LVAD (Left-Ventricular-Assist- Device) patients (LVADp). This includes multidisciplinary approach and providing them with a multidisciplinary evaluation and a dedicated mobile App. The aim of this study is to present 6- month follow-up results. Methods: Observational study of clinical, instrumental, metabolic, and psychological outcomes at 6- month following the initiation of CURE-AT-HOME. Multidisciplinary assessments were conducted at baseline(T0) and every six months thereafter. At each timepoint, clinical parameters, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, metabolic profile, and questionnaires including SF-36 and HADS were assessed. Results: A total of 16 TCOp and 10 LVADp were enrolled (January2023-January2024), of which 10 TCOp and 6 LVADp reached 6-month follow-up(T6). Between T0 and T6, the median BMI of both groups remained within the normal range. Three TCOp were identified as having new- onset diabetes at T0 and were initiated on a specialized care. An increase in terms of relative VO2(TCOp:18.06vs20.13 ml/kg/min; LVADp:13.65vs13.83 ml/kg/min) and power output was observed (TCOp:94vs114 Watt; LVADp:76 vs 76.50 Watt), with an overall increase of 0.6 MET. At T6, a good quality of life was reported in both the physical and emotional components. These were no adverse events requiring hospitalization. Conclusions: The preliminary results of CURE-AT-HOME demonstrated an increase in functional capacity, a metabolic status and clinical improvement and enhanced quality of life in both groups.