Randomized Trial of Telemonitoring to Improve Heart Failure Outcomes (Tele-HF): Study Design

Abstract

Background Telemonitoring, the use of communication technology to monitor clinical status, is gaining attention as a strategy to improve the care of patients with heart failure. A system of frequent monitoring could alert clinicians to early heart failure decompensation, providing the opportunity for intervention before patients become severely ill and require hospitalization. Moreover, patients' participation in a daily monitoring program could have a favorable effect on their health behaviors. The literature on telemonitoring for heart failure, however, is quite limited. Methods and Materials Telemonitoring to Improve Heart Failure Outcomes (Tele-HF) is a randomized, controlled, trial designed to compare an automated, daily symptom, and self-reported weight monitoring intervention with usual care in reducing (all-cause) hospital readmissions and mortality among patients recently hospitalized with decompensated heart failure. The intervention will be implemented and all outcomes will be assessed over a 6-month period. The purpose of the intervention is to collect information about symptoms, clinical status and weight and to engage participants in their own self-care. Participants are recruited from general cardiology, heart failure specialty, and primary care practices across the United States. Conclusions The results of this study may inform future policy decisions regarding implementation of telemonitoring in treatment of heart failure.