Challenges of Telemonitoring Programs for Complex Chronic Conditions: Randomized Controlled Trial With an Embedded Qualitative Study.

Background: Despite the growing prevalence of people with complex conditions and evidence of the positive impact of telemonitoring for single conditions, little research exists on telemonitoring for this population.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial and embedded qualitative study aims to evaluate the impact on and experiences of patients and health care providers (HCPs) using a telemonitoring system with decision support to manage patients with complex conditions, including those with multiple chronic conditions, compared with the standard of care.

Methods: A pragmatic, unblinded, 6-month randomized controlled trial sought to recruit 146 patients with ≥1 diagnosis of heart failure (HF), uncontrolled hypertension (HT), and insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus (DM) from outpatient specialty settings in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Use of Free-Living Step Count Monitoring for Heart Failure Functional Classification: Validation Study.

Background: The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system has poor inter-rater reproducibility. A previously published pilot study showed a statistically significant difference between the daily step counts of heart failure (with reduced ejection fraction) patients classified as NYHA functional class II and III as measured by wrist-worn activity monitors. However, the study's small sample size severely limits scientific confidence in the generalizability of this finding to a larger heart failure (HF) population.

Correction: Assessing the Use of Wrist-Worn Devices in Patients with Heart Failure: Feasibility Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/cardio.8301.

Assessing the Use of Wrist-Worn Devices in Patients With Heart Failure: Feasibility Study.

Background: Exercise capacity and raised heart rate (HR) are important prognostic markers in patients with heart failure (HF). There has been significant interest in wrist-worn devices that track activity and HR.

Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of HR and activity tracking of the Fitbit and Apple Watch.

Outcomes in adult congenital heart disease patients undergoing heart transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies assessing mortality and morbidity in adult transplant recipients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing post-transplant outcomes in these 2 populations.

Methods: After conducting an electronic database search, we selected studies evaluating mortality, cause-specific mortality, and risk of reoperation and dialysis in adult CHD vs non-CHD patients.

The Added Value of Exercise Variables in Heart Failure Prognosis.

Introduction: Diminished exercise capacity is a key symptom in heart failure (HF). Exercise predictors (peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope [OUES]) are prognostic markers but studied in isolation. We evaluated if these exercise variables offer additional prognostic value to clinical predictors in HF.

Are endothelial progenitor cells a prognostic factor in patients with heart failure?

For the last two decades, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been proposed as a novel prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in patients with cardiovascular diseases. EPCs are involved in the process of adult vasculogenesis and repair of dysfunctional endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction has been documented in the peripheral and coronary arteries of chronic heart failure (HF) patients, and has proved to be an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in HF patients.