One year after the launch of the proprietary HeartLink platform and app, which support the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure, Wrocław Medical University (UMW) has summarized the results of the pilot project. The outcomes are promising enough to plan an expansion of the app’s functionality, with potential future implementation as part of standard care for patients with mechanical circulatory support (LVAD). The project was developed at the UMW Institute for Heart Diseases.
Heart failure currently affects about 1–2% of the adult population, and for some patients, the disease progresses to an advanced stage where heart transplantation is the only effective treatment. However, access to this therapy is limited for many due to contraindications or a shortage of donors. In such cases, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used, significantly improving survival chances but requiring continuous medical supervision.
The app allows patients to submit daily data related to LVAD parameters and their health status, including blood clotting index, body temperature, temperature around the driveline site, body weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Additionally, patients confirm medication adherence and send a photo of their postoperative wound once a week. All data are analyzed by physicians and coordinators, enabling quick detection of potential complications such as infections or right ventricular failure.
The pilot study involved 43 UMW patients who underwent 81 LVAD implantations. Analysis showed that the number of unplanned hospitalizations during the first three months post-surgery was significantly lower in the group using the app compared to patients receiving standard care.
Future development stages include implementing a machine learning algorithm that would automatically analyze wound photos and signal any abnormalities. This advancement will enable even faster responses to complications, improve care quality, reduce costs, and decrease adverse events.
The HeartLink project was made possible by a grant from Wrocław Medical University. The research team included Dr. Mateusz Sokolski, Prof. Michał Zakliczyński, Prof. Roman Przybylski, students from the Transplantology and Advanced Heart Failure Therapies student research group, and IT specialists developing the software.
