Virtual ward follow-up for people with heart failure

Heart Failure Virtual Ward Research Study

This trial will test whether follow-up care delivered through a virtual ward can reduce hospital readmissions in adults recently hospitalized for heart failure.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 346 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Ballinasloe, Galway)
• Trial ID: NCT06620653 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, controlled, multicentre, parallel-group trial that assigns adults recently hospitalized for decompensated heart failure to either telemedicine/virtual ward follow-up or usual care. The primary outcome is heart-failure–related hospitalization within three months, defined as any hospital admission or an emergency stay over 24 hours requiring IV diuretics. Secondary outcomes include all-cause mortality and hospitalization at 3, 6, and 12 months, cost-effectiveness, medication prescription and dosing for prognostic therapies, and quality of life. Clinical events will be adjudicated and follow-up will be done by phone or virtual outpatient appointments; the protocol is unblinded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) recently hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (any ejection fraction), who live within the Saolta group catchment, speak English or Irish, and are willing and able to participate are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients in palliative care or with life expectancy under one year, those discharged to nursing facilities, people with planned early interventions or dialysis, or those unable to use or comply with telemedicine (including moderate–severe cognitive impairment or language barriers) are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the virtual ward approach could lower short-term heart-failure readmissions, improve medication optimization, and reduce healthcare costs while improving patient quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous telemonitoring and virtual ward programs for heart failure have produced mixed but promising results, with some trials showing reduced readmissions and better medication management while others found limited mortality benefit.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (≥ 18 years) with a recent hospitalisation.
* Known ejection fraction and NYHA Class
* Known or de novo Heart Failure
* Patient or carer able to speak and understand English/Irish
* Willing to participate in the study.
* Within catchment area of the Saolta group.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who decline to participate in the study.
* Patient in palliative care or with a life expectancy of less than one year.
* Patients referred to skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes at hospital discharge.
* Patients with planned intervention on the mitral or aortic valve during admission or scheduled early after discharge.
* Planned haemodialysis.
* Patients included in other randomized controlled trials.
* Patients who, at the investigator's discretion, are considered unable to participate in the study, mainly due to a previous history of non- compliance with medication and follow-up appointments, language barrier, or moderate or severe cognitive impairment without the support of a family member/caregiver.
* Patients with asymptomatic (NYHA class I) left ventricular dysfunction, usually in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction.
* The lack of information technology (IT) literacy will not be an exclusion criterion.

Where this trial is running

Ballinasloe, Galway

• Portiuncula University Hospital — Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Derek O'Keeffe, MD, PhD — Galway University Hospitals/University of Galway
• Study coordinator: David Tiernan, MD

Conditions Heart Failure