MO105TELEMEDICAL SURVEILLANCE AND OPTIMIZED TREATMENT OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Abstract

\n \n \n Patients with chronic kidney disease suffer often from cardiovascular diseases, especially high blood pressure and its complications such as stroke and heart attack. After kidney transplantation, this condition persists and can in addition harm the graft. However, outpatient care surveillance is not ideal to treat high blood pressure sufficiently. mHealth solutions such as remote vital signs seem to have the potential to fill in this gap.\n \n \n \n To optimize the monitoring of kidney transplant recipients (KTR), the MACCS (Medical Assistant for Chronic Care Solution)-project offers participants an intensified control of home-measured vital signs via a smartphone app. Additionally, well-being and medical adherence can be forwarded. A telemedicine team reviews daily incoming data and takes action, if necessary. A self-programed telemedicine dashboard visualizes the data. KTR receive their updated medication plan and medical support. The pilot phase of project started in February 2020 and is ongoing. A randomized controlled trial will start in March 2021. The concept sticks to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of European Union.\n \n \n \n Currently, 335 KTR participate in the project with 26 (7.76%) dropouts since beginning. Including the 26 dropouts, we received in total 15 973 blood pressure (BP) values (mmHg) (systolic BP [SBP] mean 128.56, standard deviation [SD] ±103.7, maximum (max) 220, minimum (min) 60; diastolic BP [DBP] mean 78.51, SD ±9.97, max 120, min 60) and 27 481 heart rate (HR) values in beats per minutes (bpm) (mean 70, SD ±14, max 200, min 40). For 278 times, an adaption of antihypertensive therapy took place. In total, 170/335 KTR were hospitalized, which made up for 338 hospitalizations (1.99 cases per patient, max 6, min 1), which led to 3 8547 days in hospital (mean 9.34, SD ±11.43, max 89, min 1). In 331 cases, the diagnosis (main or secondary diagnosis) was related to hypertension, and 196 cases the diagnosis may be a hypertension-related complication, e.g. myocardial infarct. Evaluation regarding significance is in process and requires further data.\n \n \n \n mHealth solutions including remote vital signs and telemedicine personnel for regular evaluation have the potential to optimize blood pressure treatment. Acute onset of hypertensive crisis can be handled sufficiently at home and thus reduce treatment at emergency rooms. Since severe complications of high blood pressure levels manifest after years, long-term results are required to conduct conclusions.\n