Human studies show that subjects with elevated galectin-3 levels have increased risk for developing heart failure, and blood testing for galectin-3 is now being used to monitor heart failure [ 6– 8].
Recently, the IN-TIME landmark trial showed a reduced risk for a worsened clinical composite score combining death, hospitalization for heart failure, NYHA class, and patient global self-assessment in remotely monitored heart failure patients with ICDs and CRT-Ds, along with all-cause mortality reduction after one year.
The Telemedical Interventional Monitoring in Heart Failure (TIM-HF) study uses a remote monitoring system with the ability to monitor the electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and body weight of the patient via a mobile phone network connection.
In a review of the literature on telemedicine and remote monitoring of heart failure patients, Anker and colleagues concluded that remote monitoring will become the mainstay of heart failure care and that capitalizing on patients' self-care abilities is crucial [ 51].
Telehealth is a tool to strengthen links with the education, intervention and monitoring of heart failure patients.
Remote monitoring of heart failure (HF) patients may help in the early detection of acute HF decompensation before the onset of symptoms.
Remote monitoring of heart failure (HF) patients may help in the early detection of acute decompensation before the onset of symptoms, providing the opportunity for early intervention to reduce HF-related hospitalizations, improve outcomes, and lower costs.
Telemedical Interventional Monitoring in Heart Failure aims to assess total mortality compared with standard health-care patients, and has already recruited 710 stable chronic HF patients.
A unique feature of the system is the possibility to connect wireless weight scales and blood pressure cuffs for remote monitoring of heart failure status.
Remote monitoring in heart failure (HF) is effective in reducing all cause mortality (Relative Risk = 0.62 (95%CI 0.45 to 0.85) [ 2].
