Remote management of chronic heart failure patients using Internet supported technology

Background: Heart failure results in high morbidity and mortality rates and is increasing in prevalence. Symptom and weight monitoring is essential as it has been associated with improved outcomes for patients. Purpose: To investigate the use of a website for the telemonitoring of heart failure patients, to assess its uptake, and evaluate its effect. Methods: Twenty patients were recruited and entered their daily weight and symptoms onto the website for six months. Patients were remotely monitored by a nurse and contacted as required. Results: Trends toward improvement were observed on the maintenance (p=0.039) and confidence subscales of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (p=0.069), Minnesota Living With Heart Failure® Questionnaire (p=0.337), six-minute walk test (p=0.124) and NT-proBNP (p=0.210). Participants and nurses demonstrated a favourable uptake of the website. Conclusions: The website was favourably accepted by both patients and nurses and its use is associated with improved outcomes.