Heart failure (HF) results in high hospitalization rates and healthcare costs. Telemonitoring of HF has been shown to result in improved outcomes but usually involves the use of expensive equipment. A more feasible alternative may be the use of a Web site. Maric and colleagues investigated the use of a Web site designed for HF telemonitoring. Patients newly referred to a heart function clinic were screened for eligibility. Twenty participants were recruited and entered their weight and symptoms onto the Web site for six months. A nurse monitored the Web site for changes in participant health status and telephoned the participants as necessary. Self-care, quality of life, 6-minute walk test, and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were assessed. Interviews were conducted to assess intervention uptake. Seventeen participants completed the study. A significant change was observed on the maintenance subscale of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (p = 0.039). There was a trend toward improvement on the confidence subscale of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (p = 0.069), Minnesota Living With Heart Failure((R)) Questionnaire (p = 0.337), 6-minute walk test (p = 0.124), and NT-proBNP (p = 0.210). Participants and nurses demonstrated a favorable uptake of the Web site.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that a Web site that facilitates the telemonitoring of patients with HF was favorably accepted and its use in this pilot study was associated with improved self-care skills. However, further investigation is warranted in a larger study population.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: This is another in a growing number of studies showing the value of telemonitoring in health care. It particularly appears useful in situations where, as occurred in this study, the patients lived in rural areas remote from needed medical facilities.

B. Maric et al. The Use of the Internet to Remotely Monitor Patients with Heart Failure. Telemedicine Journal & E-Health, January 13, 2010.