Digital Strategy Boosts Heart Failure Medication
A digital strategy has more than doubled access to proven heart failure medication. The EMAIL-HF trial tested the approach among patients not receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.
Researchers used health registries to identify untreated patients. They then invited eligible people to a telephone consultation with a heart failure specialist.
Heart failure affects more than 64 million people worldwide. It can cause serious health problems and reduce quality of life. It also places a major burden on healthcare systems.
Digital Strategy Improves Treatment
The trial included 5,996 patients from Denmark. Their average age was 71 years, while 33 percent were women. Around 40 percent had previously been hospitalized for heart failure.
Patients in the digital group received a letter through Denmark’s Digital Post system. The letter explained SGLT2 inhibitors and offered a specialist consultation.
During the call, specialists reviewed each patient’s electronic health record. They assessed whether treatment matched current ESC guidelines. Meanwhile, the usual-care group continued routine care.
About 60 percent of invited patients responded and registered on the digital platform. Therefore, the strategy helped connect untreated patients with specialist advice.
Treatment Rates More Than Double
SGLT2 inhibitor treatment started in 18.6 percent of the digital group. In comparison, only 8.2 percent received treatment in the usual-care group within six months.
The difference remained at 24 months. However, the strategy did not significantly reduce hospitalisation or death during the study.
Wider Potential for Digital Care
Researchers reported no evidence of additional safety problems. They also highlighted an important challenge in cardiovascular care.
Proven treatments do not always reach patients quickly. Therefore, digital systems could help identify people missing recommended therapies.
The researchers believe proactive contact may reduce gaps between medical evidence and everyday care. As a result, similar strategies could improve treatment access without waiting for another hospital visit.
