Evaluation of the impact of educational interview for patients who have received a cardiac valvular replacement

Abstract

Valvular replacement (VR) is commonly performed for severe valvular disease. Thrombosis and endocarditis represent the two main complications after VR. Patient education is essential to prevent these risks. To assess the impact of an educational interview (EI) on the knowledge of patients who have benefited from VR. Adult patients with a prosthetic valve (PV), were enrolled in a prospective, controlled, monocentric study. EI carried out by a pharmacist considering specific risks related to the PV and safety skills. A booklet containing essential information was given to the patient. The EI was conducted at baseline in the intervention group. A follow up was carried out two months after VR (M2) to assess the patients’ knowledge. The control group only benefited from follow-up at M2 without baseline EI. The assessment of the patients’ knowledge score using a weighted survey (/100) and the patients’ satisfaction regarding the EI. A T-Student test was used to compare the knowledge score between the two groups. 82 patients were included (41 per group) from June to September 2019 with a mean age of 75 ± 12 years (57% man). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. At M2, the knowledge score was significantly higher in the intervention group (58 ± 25 versus 22 ± 19; P < 0.001). A significant better awareness was observed for the need of long-term medical follow-up and for prevention infective endocarditis (dentist visits, antibiotic prophylaxis card, wound disinfection). 79% of the patients were satisfied with the EI. This study underlines the benefit of an EI on the improvement of patients’ knowledge regarding risk management and safety skills after VR. Further studies are warranted to assess long-term incidence of PV-related adverse events in this population.