There has been a significant reduction in the number of heart failure readmissions at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. That’s according to new data which has been released in support of recdent NICE guidance for KiActiv®’s digital health innovation. The new pioneering care model was put in place after being showcased at the European Society Of Cardiology Congress in Madrid where thousands of delegates from across the globe were in attendance. This helped to introduce the new system at a broader level and ensure more professionals were aware of what new measures had to be put in place to provide better care for patients. The event was arranged as part of the world’s largest cardiovascular congress and a prestigious platform for advancing cardiovascular innovation.
Liverpool University Hospital’s Dr Rajiv Sankaranarayanan, gave an extremely informative presentation which outlined the after effects of using the new system once patients reach the digital cardiac rehabilitation service which was a programme being offered at discharge from a virtual ward which is believed to be a world first. Early data from the program show a significant reduction in heart failure readmissions, delivering both improved patient outcomes and major cost savings for the healthcare system.
This research aligns closely with a recent announcement from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), underscoring the potential for KiActiv®’s technology-enabled model to transform treatment for people with heart failure.
Digital rehabilitation is about more than just increasing uptake, improving patient outcomes, and relieving pressure on the NHS – it embodies the three major shifts of the 10 Year Health Plan:
➡ From hospital to community – delivering rehabilitation outside of hospital settings
➡ From analogue to digital – harnessing technology to empower personalised self-care
➡ From sickness to prevention – enabling earlier, more accessible interventions
The abstract was presented during the ESC session “Evolving Strategies in Heart Failure Management” on 29th August 2025 at 11:05am (link to session: https://esc365.escardio.org/esc-congress/sessions/15347-evolving-strategies-in-heart-failure-management)
NICE has conditionally approved six digital cardiac rehab programmes, including KiActiv, for NHS trials. “Conditionally approved” means they’re being tested for now to see how well they work before a full recommendation.
Trials show KiActiv can make a big difference: more patients take part in rehab (up from around 6% to 63%), and about 71% complete the programme. It also seems to reduce readmissions by 70–76%, improve fitness more than usual care, and help with mental health and quality of life.
Patients using KiActiv at home are getting back to normal life faster. One example is a heart attack patient who was able to go back to running. Patients also report feeling more confident and consistent in their recovery.
Approximately 32,079 people in Liverpool have a primary care diagnosis of heart failure, accounting for 1.2% of the overall population in the region. This highlights the significant impact of heart failure on the local community.
Nationally, uptake of cardiac rehabilitation has stalled in recent years, with tens of thousands of missed opportunities annually. In England, the uptake rate is below the 85% target set for 2028, showing a need for innovative ways to improve participation.
It is hoped that once the new method of treatment has been fully introduced and embedded in to the system, nurses and care proffessionals will be able to see patients in their homes on the same day to avoid any unessary loss of life or ability. This can lead to patients having a better quality of life in the future.
Dr Mike Fisher, Consultant Cardiologist at LUHFT, introduced the KiActiv digital service to Nick to aid his cardiac recovery alongside the standard recovery treatments.
Dr Fisher said: “Cardiac rehabilitation is vital part of a patient’s recovery from cardiac trauma. However, due to many different factors, it is not always incorporated in cardiac recovery as much as it could be.
“KiActiv offered a goal-led programme supported by a physiologist, that is based on a patient’s everyday life rather than having them to come into hospital and go on a treadmill or join a gym.
“It calculates a person’s everyday activities and builds a programme that is achievable for them to do, ultimately getting them to a better level of fitness and aiding their cardiovascular health”.
If you’d like to find out more information, please visit Liverpool University Hospitals NHS: Cardiac Rehabilitation – COVID-19 Response – KiActiv : KiActiv
