Heart patients who use information via e-health after a bypass operation require less aftercare in the following weeks. They also feel better sooner. This is a reason for the Catharina Heart and Vascular Center to develop an e-health strategy for daily practice.
This is apparent from research by the Dutch Heart Foundation and the Catharine Hospital among three hundred patients with planned open heart surgery. The results were recently published in the scientific journal JMIR Publications. One group received a program with online information videos and digital consultations. Another group received traditional care. We looked at who needed postoperative care from a physiotherapist, general practitioner or dietician. This was much less the case in the first group.
Three heart conditions
The Catharina Hospital has received two grants of 3 million euros from ZonMw for complex care related to colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. These are used to research technological innovations such as e-health and decision support based on artificial intelligence. In particular, Catherine looks at prevention, improved outcomes and cost control in three common heart conditions: clogged coronary arteries, narrowed heart valve and atrial fibrillation.