Telemedicine Helps at the Cardiocenter in Nitra with MUDr. Ľuboš Roháč

Heart failure, a condition that brings thousands of patients to hospitals in Slovakia each year, is now getting a new chance thanks to innovative telemedicine. At the Cardiocenter in Nitra, a unique project called “Heart Failure” has been underway for a year, in which patients with this condition are monitored using the Telemon telemedicine solution. We spoke about this project with cardiologist MUDr. Ľuboš Roháč from the Cardiocenter.

What is the “Heart Failure” project about and what are its main objectives?

Heart failure (HF) is the most common cause of cardiovascular death worldwide, despite advances in treatment. Its prevalence is 1–3% of the adult population and increases with age—affecting mainly people over 65—and it is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization. Globally, more than 60 million people suffer from heart failure, while in Slovakia alone, over 22,000 patients were hospitalized with this condition in 2022. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is impaired. It may involve failure of the left ventricle, the right ventricle, or both.

The most common causes of left ventricular failure include ischemic heart disease, valvular disorders, and cardiomyopathies. When the left ventricle fails, blood backs up in the pulmonary circulation, which can lead to life-threatening pulmonary edema. The right ventricle most often fails as a result of lung diseases, leading primarily to swelling of the lower limbs and, in severe cases, generalized body swelling (anasarca).

The goal of treatment is to improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, improve prognosis, and delay death. Approximately 30% of patients die within one year after being discharged from the hospital, and nearly half die within five years of diagnosis. The main objective of treatment is to reduce this rate and minimize its negative impact.

How is the project carried out in patients with heart failure, and who can participate?

The telemedicine project for patients with chronic heart failure has been running at the Cardiocenter in Nitra since April 2024. Currently, 10 patients are enrolled—4 of them have been monitored for 9 months, and another 6 for approximately half a year.

The Telemon telemedicine solution by Goldmann Systems is used to monitor patients’ health status. Patients are monitored directly from their homes, as the device is easy to use and allows remote tracking of basic vital signs.

Any patient diagnosed with heart failure could participate in the project. The main criteria for inclusion, in addition to the diagnosis, were the patient’s willingness to take part in the project and their ability to use modern technology, regardless of age or the severity of their condition.

What interested you about the project, and why did you decide to get involved?

I had heard about telemedicine before, and this was an opportunity to try it out directly in practice. It was a challenge, but at the same time a chance to offer something new to patients with chronic heart failure.

Telemon enables remote monitoring of a patient’s health status. This process includes the collection, transmission, and analysis of health data in real time, giving the physician a clear overview of the patient’s condition. Thanks to this, we can identify any deterioration early and adjust treatment accordingly, which significantly helps reduce the risk of hospitalizations. This is particularly important given that up to 30% of patients with heart failure are readmitted to the hospital within 90 days of discharge.

How do you evaluate the project so far?

I evaluate the benefits of telemedicine very positively. It allows us to monitor a patient’s health remotely, communicate, diagnose, and treat without the need for an in-person visit.

Within the project, we had 2 patients in whom we detected weight gain, which we were able to identify early and adjust treatment remotely. In another 3 patients, we were able to modify treatment within one week based on repeatedly elevated blood pressure and heart rate values recorded by the system over 2 to 3 consecutive days.

Telemedicine improves collaboration between patient and physician, as well as adherence to treatment recommendations, which helps optimize medication prescribing. This reduces healthcare costs and increases patient safety.

How can patients join the project? How do they perceive this type of monitoring? Do they feel an improvement in their health?

Any patient diagnosed with heart failure can be included in the “Heart Failure” project, regardless of systolic heart function, provided they are willing and able to use modern technology. Patients are provided with the Telemon app and certified medical devices that enable monitoring of ECG, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, and blood oxygen saturation.

Monitored patients feel safer, as any deterioration in their parameters can be quickly addressed by adjusting treatment remotely, helping to prevent complications. They also have sufficient information about their condition, which contributes to greater engagement in managing their own health.

How do you evaluate the monitoring data?

If values are within the normal range and the patient has no symptoms, parameters are analyzed once a week. In situations where the patient’s condition worsens—such as weight gain or changes in blood pressure or heart rate—the physician receives an alert, and the data is evaluated daily.

Do you see a future in the digitalization of healthcare?

I see telemedicine as a complement to standard healthcare delivery. It helps us individualize patient care in an efficient way that saves time and resources. In my opinion, the telemedicine solution from Goldmann Systems is particularly beneficial for newly diagnosed and acutely decompensated heart failure patients. Our goal is to establish treatment according to ESC/ESH guidelines as quickly as possible.

One of the challenges of telemedicine is the time required for data evaluation and analysis. Success depends on proper organization and effective cooperation between the patient and the physician. However, the benefits—such as reduced hospitalizations, timely treatment adjustments, and more satisfied patients—are undeniable.

About the “Heart Failure” project

The project was created with the aim of introducing more efficient ways of managing patients with heart failure. It includes regular health monitoring, multidisciplinary collaboration among specialists, and the use of modern technologies in care. Initial results show promising reductions in rehospitalizations and improved treatment adherence.

Thank you.

MUDr. Ľuboš Roháč
Cardiologist

He has long been dedicated to the issue of heart failure and the care of patients with chronic heart disease. As part of the “Heart Failure” project, implemented in cooperation with UNION, he is actively involved in monitoring patients and adjusting their treatment.