Use of Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) as Point-of-Care Testing Following Heart Failure Hospitalization and Risk of 30-Day Readmission

Purpose Readmission after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) remains a major public health problem. We hypothesized that point-of-care (POC) testing using remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) to measure percent lung water volume after HF hospitalization may improve guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and reduce 30-day hospital readmission. Methods Data were collected for patients scheduled for rapid follow-up (RFU) visits within 10 days post-discharge for HF at Mount Sinai Hospital between July 1, 2017 and July 21, 2018 and included whether ReDS readings were obtained and medication changes were made. Diuretics were adjusted using the following algorithm: hold diuretics if ReDS 46%. The association between use of ReDS and 30-day readmission was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression modeling adjusting for baseline confounders. Results Of the 290 patients included in the analysis, 238 (82.1%) presented to RFU clinic. Overall, mean age was 62.8±14.4 years and 36.5% were female. 30-day readmission rate was 35.3% in patients who did not present to RFU clinic versus 11.8% for those who did (p Conclusion Use of ReDS to guide GDMT and diuretic titration for HF was feasible and may be associated with lower 30-day readmission post-discharge for HF. Further longitudinal experience with POC ReDS testing can provide insights into the frequency of congestion early after HF discharge, reductions in hospital readmission and the optimization of GDMT.