Effect of Providing Education and Patient's Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound Images on Adherence to a Heart Failure Regimen

Detailed Summary

Heart failure is a common, costly, and disabling condition characterized by recurrent exacerbations. Episodes of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) account for the largest proportion of admissions and 30-day readmissions to US hospitals. Medication nonadherence and dietary/fluid nonadherence have been associated with re-admissions. Hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) devices are portable, relatively inexpensive, and can augment the physical exam in the assessment of volume status. Dilated Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) with poor collapsibility correlates with elevated central venous pressure, which may be correlated with earlier readmission for ADHF. Study design to measure maximum IVC diameter (IVC max) in mm and the degree of IVC collapsibility with inspiration on qualitative assessment in approximately 100 patients admitted with ADHF. The co-investigator will share the IVC images and interpretation with educational intervention group patients in real time; IVC images and interpretation will not be shared with control group patients. Study team will assess whether sharing these IVC measurements correlates with greater adherence to heart failure self-management after discharge, as measured by the administration of the Medical Outcomes Study Specific Adherence Scale, modified to a 3-item version relevant for patients with heart failure (MOSSAS-3HF) at 4 weeks after discharge. Study team will also assess for any difference in 30-day readmission rates for intervention vs. control group patients.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions