Evaluation of a nurse-led intervention program in heart failure: A randomized trial

Abstract Background and objective Several trials have evaluated the effect of disease management programs in heart failure (HF) with diverse results. The aim of this study was to develop a simple nurse-led clinic intervention program for patients with HF and assess whether this intervention positively affects the prognosis of patients, their care costs and perceived quality of life (QoL). Methods Between 2011 and 2013, 127 patients with reduced ejection fraction were prospectively randomly allocated (1:2) to standard care or intervention program. Primary composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and hospital readmissions. Secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality, all-cause hospital readmissions, readmissions for HF, time to first readmission and QoL improvements assessed by “ Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire” (MLHFQ). An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results After a median follow-up of 2-years, no differences were found in the primary composite endpoint. Likewise, there were no differences between groups in the predefined secondary endpoints of mortality and readmissions from any cause. However, in the intervention group, readmissions for HF were significantly reduced (35% vs. 18%; p  =  0.04 ) and QoL significantly improved (MLHFQ ± SD: 2.29 ± 14 vs. 10.9 ± 14.75; p  =  0.04 ). Conclusions In patients with HF, the use of a nurse-led intervention program significantly improves perceived QoL and reduce HF hospital readmissions.