The efficacy of telemedical care for heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION\nThe efficacy of telemedical care for the treatment of heart failure remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of telemedical care on heart failure.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through October 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of telemedical care on heart failure. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFour RCTs involving 2516 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for heart failure, telemedical care demonstrates no significant influence on cardiovascular death (OR\xa0=\xa00.74; 95% CI\xa0=\xa00.54 to 1.00; P\xa0=\xa00.05), mortality (OR\xa0=\xa00.86; 95% CI\xa0=\xa00.61 to 1.20; P\xa0=\xa00.38), hospital stay for heart failure (SMD\xa0=\xa0-1.57; 95% CI\xa0=\xa0-6.31 to 3.16; P\xa0=\xa00.52) or hospital stay for any readmission (SMD\xa0=\xa0-0.65; 95% CI\xa0=\xa0-8.98 to 7.68; P\xa0=\xa00.88), but can reduce the days lost due to death or heart failure readmissions (SMD\xa0=\xa0-6.50; 95% CI\xa0=\xa0-8.44 to -4.56; P\xa0<\xa00.00001).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nTelemedical care may provide no additional benefits for heart failure.