This randomized controlled trial compares a home telemonitoring system (HTS) versus usual care during a 90 days follow-up of Heart Failure (HF) ambulatory patients, in order to evaluate if the use of the HTS improves self-care and treatment adherence. The study was reviewed and approved by the Methodological Committee and by the Research Ethics Committee from the Provincial Health System, according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained before randomization.
The HTS consists of an App that daily collects measurements of weight, blood pressure, heart rate and symptoms (checklist of symptoms questions). The HTS processes the data and generates and sends an alert to the physicians if a risk situation occurs (measurements are outside of normal ranges). The App has also an educational functionality that allows learning about lifestyle, self-care and healthy habits for HF patients. For this purpose, the application: a) has a section that answers frequent questions, b) has a question and answer game about HF, and c) sends educational messages to the patients every day.
San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán Province, Argentina