NICE recommends remote monitoring technology for heart failure patients

Heart failure accounted for approximately 90,000 hospital admissions in England in 2019 to 2020

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that people with heart failure can now stay healthier remotely through advanced remote monitoring technology designed to reduce hospital visits.

NICE has approved two algorithm-based technologies, HeartLogic and TriageHF, for remote monitoring of heart failure patients via cardiac implantable devices (CIEDs) like pacemakers.

Boston Scientific’s HeartLogic enables early detection of worsening heart failure, reducing related hospitalisations by 72%. Access involves a one-time cost per patient, with potential discounts based on purchase volume.

TriageHF, developed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust researchers and Medtronic, also works with CIEDs to track heart failure risks, cutting all-cause hospitalisations by 58%. This technology and its CareLink data transmission service have an annual fee per patient.

In 2019 to 2020, heart failure accounted for approximately 90,000 hospital admissions in England, ranking among the top causes of preventable hospitalisations.

With the approval of HeartLogic and TriageHF, there is hope of individuals with heart failure having the ability to manage their health remotely, decreasing the need for hospital visits and improving patients’ quality of life.

Anastasia Chalkidou, Programme Director of NICE’s HealthTech directorate, said: “Being able to remotely monitor someone with heart failure and detecting whether their symptoms are worsening in real time could be the difference between life or death. There are thousands of people diagnosed with heart failure each year and enabling them to live a healthy life, without having to go into hospital, is a double win for them and the NHS.

“At NICE our aim is to get the best care to people, fast, ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. The NHS is under considerable pressure and using technology, such as these devices, could prevent costly hospital admissions which would be avoidable if an early intervention is made.”