Heart Failure Clinic Episode

Welcome to “Heart to Heart,” a podcast about all things heart-related presented by the physicians of Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists. I’m your host, Susan Curtin. Our goal is to meet you where you are by providing valuable information from trusted experts in the field of cardiology.

Today, we’re talking with Dr. Trey Baucum about remote cardiac monitoring in patients with heart failure.

Remote cardiac monitoring is an exciting advancement in healthcare. There are devices that monitor the heart’s rhythm, including active devices that can pace the heart or deliver a shock to restore a normal rhythm as well as passive devices that simply monitor heart rhythm.

Many pacemakers and implantable defibrillators now include technology that can detect early signs of congestive heart failure. We also have devices that are implanted specifically to monitor heart failure. More commonly, these monitoring capabilities are built into devices that are already being used to pace the heart, resynchronize the heart or function as a defibrillator.

These devices provide early warning signs that a patient may be developing congestive heart failure. Since many patients with implanted cardiac devices also have heart failure, the devices provide a tremendous amount of information about what is happening with the patient’s heart.

This information can change the way patients receive care. In some cases, we can contact a patient before symptoms become severe because the device indicates they may be retaining fluid or beginning to develop heart failure. We may ask the patient to come into the office for an evaluation or increase monitoring of other vital signs. These devices often serve as an early warning system, allowing us to intervene before the patient becomes seriously ill or requires hospitalization.

The monitoring is performed remotely. Information from the implanted device is transmitted through a monitor located near the patient’s bed, which securely sends the data to our office. We review the information, and we can identify early signs of heart rhythm problems or congestive heart failure.

Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists also has an on-site Heart Failure Clinic. Heart failure is one of the leading reasons that patients are admitted to the hospital in the United States. It accounts for billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year. It is especially common in the South, which is why we have a dedicated team focused exclusively on treating patients with congestive heart failure.

Our Heart Failure Clinic is staffed by a dedicated nurse practitioner and registered nurse whose primary responsibility is coordinating heart failure care. After patients begin treatment, they often need close follow-up that can be difficult to provide through routine physician visits alone. The Heart Failure Clinic allows patients to be seen frequently while medications are carefully adjusted.

The clinic also provides intravenous therapies when needed; remote monitoring; and education about diet, sodium intake and recognizing signs that heart failure may be worsening. This coordinated approach helps patients stay healthier and reduces the need for hospitalization.

The Heart Failure Clinic also develops individualized treatment plans. Patients are monitored closely, so medications can be adjusted based on their condition. If a patient becomes dehydrated, diuretics can be reduced. If newer medications are needed, those can be adjusted as well. The clinic staff regularly contacts patients, encourages daily weight monitoring, and helps identify problems early.

For patients whose symptoms worsen, intravenous diuretics can often be given in the clinic rather than requiring hospitalization. This became especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic because it helped patients receive treatment while avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.

The Heart Failure Clinic also works closely with other specialists and programs, including cardiac rehabilitation and advanced heart failure therapies. The team helps care for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), coordinates referrals to specialized centers, and assists patients throughout the treatment process.

Overall, patients who participate in the Heart Failure Clinic experience better outcomes. They have a better quality of life, fewer hospitalizations and fewer episodes of worsening heart failure. The close relationships formed between patients and the clinic staff allow for highly personalized care with nurses who know each patient’s medical history, challenges and treatment plan. This ongoing support plays an important role in helping patients successfully manage heart failure.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit the Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists website at ACSdoctors.com.