In the wake of COVID-19, many healthcare providers felt blindsided and ill-prepared. Today, the industry is still adapting and will be for some time.

Abbott commissioned the HEART MATTERS study, surveying cardiologists, other specialists and general practitioners across the U.S. to gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground—and what’s on their mind for the future. Many providers shared that they are bracing for what they expect to be the next public health crisis: heart failure.

• More than 6.2 million Americans are already affected by heart failure—a number poised to swell.¹
• Heart failure can become serious within a matter of weeks or months, so early detection and timely treatment are crucial. Is the industry equipped to address this looming epidemic?
• The results of HEART MATTERS reveal what cardiologists and other providers see as the challenges and opportunities ahead as the industry works to prevent another health crisis.

Key Learnings

What challenges are cardiologists facing in delivering in-person care?

A significant majority (89%) have had to delay or restrict elective procedures, including 19% who specifically had to delay transplants. As cases of heart failure rise, it may strain providers’ capacity.

How will cardiologists leverage virtual care moving forward?

Virtual care has accelerated alongside the pandemic, and providers anticipate at least a quarter to a third of their patient visits will remain virtual into 2021 and beyond. Cardiologists plan to:

Is Your Practice Prepared?

Now is the time to assess your practice, hospital or health system’s capacity to treat an influx of patients with heart failure. Virtual care technology and tools, including remote monitoring, can support early detection and timely treatment of heart failure—and possibly help prevent an epidemic.

Survey Methodology

The HEART MATTERS survey was conducted in August and September 2020 among currently practicing healthcare providers. Respondents included 285 physicians/surgeons (100 Cardiologists, 96 Other Specialist, 89 Generalists); 160 respondents were from key markets identified by Abbott (59 Chicago, 51 San Francisco, 50 Boston) and 125 were from random sampling in the greater United States. Abbott was not revealed as the sponsor.

View survey methodology and key findings here.

References

1. Virano SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation.2020;141:e139-e596.

INDICATIONS, SAFETY & WARNINGS

Rx Only

Brief Summary: Prior to using these devices, please review the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse events and directions for use.

CardioMEMS™ HF System Indications and Usage: The CardioMEMS HF System is indicated for wirelessly measuring and monitoring pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and heart rate in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III heart failure patients who have been hospitalized for heart failure in the previous year. The hemodynamic data are used by physicians for heart failure management and with the goal of reducing heart failure hospitalizations.

CardioMEMS HF System Contraindications: The CardioMEMS HF System is contraindicated for patients with an inability to take dual antiplatelet or anticoagulants for one month post implant.

CardioMEMS HF System Potential Adverse Events: Potential adverse events associated with the implantation procedure include, but are not limited to, the following: infection, arrhythmias, bleeding, hematoma, thrombus, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, stroke, death, and device embolization.

myCardioMEMS™ Mobile App Limitations: Patients must use their own Apple^‡ or Android^‡ mobile device to receive and transmit information to the myCardioMEMS Mobile App. To do so the device must be powered on, app must be installed and data coverage (cellular or Wi-Fi^‡) available. The myCardioMEMS App can provide notification of medication adjustments and reminders, requests for lab work and acknowledgement that the PA pressure readings have been received. However there are many internal and external factors that can hinder, delay, or prevent acquisition and delivery of the notifications and patient information as intended by the clinician. These factors include: patient environment, data services, mobile device operating system and settings, clinic environment, schedule/configuration changes, or data processing.