Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds and are a leading cause of death worldwide. The care pathways for CVD patients are highly intricate, involving numerous diagnostic procedures and treatment approaches. Today, there are critical gaps in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of CVDs. Innovative technologies are being developed, but managing their smooth integration into care pathways is far from easy.
A smoother care pathway for people with cardiovascular diseases
The aim of new IHI project GRACE is to create a framework to improve the care pathways of people with CVD, from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management. At the healthcare system level, the framework will facilitate the seamless integration of new technologies into care pathways. At the individual level, the framework will provide tools for patients and healthcare workers to improve diagnosis and care.
“GRACE will focus on the adoption, apart from the deployment, of innovative enabling technologies for improving the management of cardiovascular diseases, one of the most complex global health challenges,” said Leandro Pecchia of the lead public partner in the project, the University Campus Bio-Medico. “An unprecedented number of innovations are developed early, but only a little part of it is adopted by healthcare services. GRACE will bridge this gap, ensuring more safe, effective, cost-effective and sustainable services while generating new knowledge.
Use cases to put the framework to the test
At the heart of the project are six use cases covering four common CVDs (arrhythmias, structural heart disease, coronary artery disease and heart failure) and targeting the general population, the elderly, and patients with other diseases.
Each use case will explore how best to integrate into care pathways technological approaches to diagnosing and managing CVDs that are provided by the industrial and SME partners in the project. Here the team will focus on the entire continuum of care, seeking to ensure a smooth, efficient and cost-effective collaboration between different disciplines and clinical settings. They will also take into account the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including patients and their caregivers.
The result of these efforts will feed into assessment tools, policy recommendations and best practices to help healthcare services review new technologies and integrate them into their work. Patients will benefit from artificial intelligence tools to aid in early diagnosis, as well as apps for personalised monitoring and treatment/care recommendations.
Benefits for patients and healthcare systems alike
Ultimately, GRACE will benefit patients by guiding them to a faster, more reliable diagnosis and smoother, more personalised care pathways as they undergo treatment and follow-up. For healthcare systems, GRACE offers the promise of greater efficiency by facilitating the integration of new technologies and improving the flow of information between different groups involved in the care of people with CVDs.
"Leading the GRACE initiative is both a privilege and a responsibility. Transforming cardiovascular care requires not only innovation but also collaboration across sectors to ensure scalable and impactful solutions,” said Jorge Posada of Medtronic, the lead private partner in the project. “GRACE represents a bold step towards redefining how we manage cardiovascular diseases across Europe, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive progress and improve patient outcomes."