[Randomised clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-factorial intervention to reduce hospitalisation and improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a multi-disciplinary non-pharmacological intervention to reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospital re-admissions due to heart failure.


METHODS
Randomised, open, controlled, parallel, multi-centre prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Sardenya Primary Care Centre (PCC), les Corts PCC, "El Remei" PCC (Vic Sud), Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Hospital Clínic, Vic Hospital, Hospital Dos de Maig.


METHODS
300 patients diagnosed with heart failure.


METHODS
Monthly home visits with intercalated phone calls from very well trained nursing staff to provide education on the illness and treatments, optimise therapy compliance, and inform on self-monitoring and management (especially early detection and treatment of decompensation).


METHODS
Combined variable of mortality for cardiovascular reasons and re-hospitalisation due to heart failure (via Casualty and/or Admissions) at 1 year. Health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Open study, as it is impossible to mask the intervention. The home intervention is not too complex and is easily performed by well-trained health professionals. Its use could be generalised, if a clinically relevant degree of efficacy was shown.
Brotons
C
C
Unidad de Investigación, Centro de Atención Primaria Sardenya, Servei Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain. cbrotons@eapsardenya.net
Martínez
M
M
Rayó
E
E
Morralla
C
C
Ballarín
E
E
Pérez
E
E
D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors