Effects of Home-based Exercise Rehabilitation on Healthcare Utilization in HeartMate 3 Patients

HER Subjects:

Get Garmin activity watch (has its own smartphone app to be activated)*, Datos app Get resistance bands and light weights Exercise prescription: Initially by physical therapist prior to discharge home & updated every month.

UC Subjects:

Get Garmin activity watch (has its own smartphone app to be activated), Datos app Exercise prescription: Try to get to 30 min of exercise 5 days a week

Inclusion criteria

• ≥ 18 years of age on the date of randomization
• Patient implanted with a new HeartMate 3 LVAD at URMC
• Patients enrolling in the study at the time of index discharge home following new HM3 LVAD implantation will be evaluated by a HF cardiologist and physical therapist and will need to demonstrate ability to ambulate independently. Patients enrolling in the study after their index discharge home following HM3 LVAD implantation will be evaluated by a HF cardiologist or VAD Coordinator and will need to demonstrate ability to ambulate independently.
• Patient willing to participate in HER.
• Patient owns a smartphone with Internet connection.

Exclusion criteria

• Major comorbidities or limitations that may interfere with exercise training (including significant orthopedic/neurologic limitations, decompensated HF, uncontrolled arrhythmias, unstable angina).
• Patient with a life expectancy <12 months.
• Patient unwilling to sign the consent for participation.
• Patient unwilling or unable to cooperate with the study protocol
• Patient who does not anticipate being a resident of the area for the scheduled duration of the research study
• Pregnancy