The impact of training and monitoring programs on patient outcomes post transcatheter aortic valve implantation

The study aimed to assess the impact of an education and monitoring program on self-care, quality of life, treatment adherence, and hospital readmission in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study in Dokuz Eylül University Hospital Cardiology service between December 2022 and September 2023. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 60 participants, including 30 patients in the intervention and control groups. Descriptive Characteristics Questionnaire, European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale, EQ-5D Quality of Life Scale, Medication Adherence Report Scale, and Structured Telephone Interview Form were used to collect data. The data of the study were collected from the intervention and control groups before the intervention, in the 1st month, and the 3rd month. The data were evaluated with number, percentage, mean, chi-square test, student t-test, single-factor, and two-factor repeated measures variance analysis, Friedman, Mann-Whitney U, McNemar, and Wilcoxon tests in the SPSS 24 package program. Comparison of the self-care behavior scale score averages between the intervention and control groups revealed a statistically significant difference in group, time, and group*time analyses. Notably, the scale score average of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group (a low score indicates high self-care). Moreover, the study found a significant disparity in the quality of life, treatment adherence mean scores, and the number of repeated hospitalizations among patients in the education and follow-up program, both within the group over time and between the groups at the last follow-up (p <0.05). In light of these findings, it can be concluded that educational programs and structured follow-ups have a positive impact on patients' self-care, quality of life, treatment adherence, and rehospitalization. Considering the advanced age and comorbidities of patients undergoing TAVI, it is recommended to implement post-procedure follow-up programs based on evidence-based research results tailored to this delicate patient population. Keywords: aortic stenosis, nurse, transcatheter aortic valve implantation