https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-025-02625-4
1Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 3rd Cardiology Department Thessaloniki, Griechenland; 2Gnomon Informatics SA Thessaloniki, Griechenland; 3Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical Physics and Digital Innovation Lab Thessaloniki, Griechenland
INTRODUCTION:
Heart failure (HF) remains a significant global health challenge, with high morbidity and mortality despite major advances in therapeutic options. The economic burden on healthcare systems is considerable, driven mainly by frequent hospitalizations. There is a pressing need to improve patient adherence to treatment regimens, self-care practices, and reduce hospitalizations and clinical visits.
AIM:
Our aim is to describe the design and key features of the CareCardia platform, an innovative, patient-centered digital solution for chronic HF management, with a focus on improving adherence to treatment, and the initial results from the ongoing multinational pilot study.
METHODS:
CareCardia, based on the eHealthPass by Gnomon Informatics SA, is a cloud-based health ecosystem connecting patients, healthcare providers, and caregivers. The platform includes a mobile app for patients and caregivers, a web application for healthcare providers and integrates with third-party services, including telerehabilitation via serious games. Key features include: Smart IoT device integration for automated monitoring of vital signs; AI-driven tools leveraging behavioral models to encourage adherence; Virtual assistant providing personalized educational resources; Real-time data sharing and remote consultation capabilities; exergaming platform to support physical fitness (Figure 1). The ongoing pilot study, which is conducted across five countries (Greece, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Turkey), aims to enroll 250 patients with heart failure NYHA class I and II in order to assess the platform's impact on engagement and self-care level (Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020; Grant No. 965134, for INCAREHEART).
RESULTS:
To date, 126 patients have been onboarded, generating over 3,188 platform visits and 103 cumulative hours of use within one month showcasing consistent use and functional robustness of the app. Self-adherence tracking and daily task management have emerged as the most frequently accessed features, with an average patient usage time of 30 minutes monthly. Passive monitoring tools have shown to be effective in promoting adherence, while active patient input features indicate areas for user interaction improvement (Figure 2).
CONCLUSION:
Preliminary findings suggest that CareCardia can be used in daily lives of CHF patients, based on current user adherence statistics, also empowering self-management potentials in chronic HF patients. Further insights will drive functionality enhancements, with additional studies needed to demonstrate the platform's clinical and economic impact on reducing hospitalizations and improving patient outcomes.