Real-world telemonitoring and remote support for home non-invasive ventilation to improve therapy effectiveness: the exploratory, multicentre randomised eVENT study.

Abstract

Telemonitoring has shown benefits during the initiation of home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) but evidence is lacking regarding its use during follow-up. A French national telemonitoring programme incorporating remote support and therapeutic education is designed to improve patient pathways and reduce healthcare resource utilisation. This study investigated the impact of the telemonitoring programme versus usual follow-up on the effectiveness of home NIV. The prospective, multicentre, open-label eVENT trial enrolled adults recently started on home NIV. Participants were randomised to the telemonitoring or usual follow-up group. In the telemonitoring group, a CE-marked algorithm generated alerts based on teletransmitted ventilator data. Specialised nurses managed alerts and provided therapeutic education. The primary outcome was mean nocturnal transcutaneous carbon dioxide level (PtCO₂) on NIV after 6 months. 56 patients were randomised and 53 were analysed (telemonitoring: n=27, usual follow-up: n=26). At 6 months, mean PtCO₂ did not differ significantly between the telemonitoring and usual follow-up groups (42.1±6.1 vs 43.9±6.4 mm Hg; p=0.352) but mean room air partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO₂) was significantly lower in the telemonitoring versus usual follow-up group (41.7±6.8 vs 46.2±3.5 mm Hg; p=0.003). The proportion of participants without diurnal or nocturnal hypercapnia at 6 months was 82.6% with telemonitoring and 27.3% with usual follow-up (p<0.001). Compared with usual follow-up, the telemonitoring group had greater NIV use, more days with NIV usage ≥4 hour and less non-intentional leaks. In patients on home NIV, PtCO₂ was similar with telemonitoring and usual follow-up, but PaCO₂ levels and the quality of ventilatory support were significantly better with telemonitoring. NCT04615078.