Support program for heart transplant patients: initial experience

Abstract

Introduction: Trials of education and support in heart failure patients have shown an improvement in patient prognosis with favorable results in cost-benefit analysis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a telephone support program for heart transplant patients during the first year after transplantation.

Patients and methods: We analyzed 30 consecutive heart transplant patients at our institution, who were randomized to either a standard care group or a group with the additional possibility of direct telephone contact with a cardiologist. We analyzed the time employed answering the calls, the reasons for consultation, and the number of hospital trips avoided.

Results: Among the total sample, 15 patients were assigned to the intervention program. Over 194 +/- 103 days, we received 28 calls. The mean call duration was 10.2 +/- 3.9 minutes, with 39.3% of the consultations concerning medication dosages 28.6% lifestyle issues, 25% infectious symptoms, and the remaining 7%, medication side effects. Medication readjustments were made in 33% of the calls; 10.7% of the calls, all for infectious symptoms, required direct medical consultation.

Conclusion: Telephone support may be useful to improve therapeutic compliance, adjust the medications, and avoid treatment errors, as well as detect early complications during follow-up. In addition, it may avoid unnecessary medical visits.