Home telemonitoring of respiratory activity and heart rate variability in chronic heart failure patients: the challenge of the home or hospital in heart failure project

Nocturnal respiratory disorders and depressed heart rate variability are known predictors of poor prognosis in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Intermittent monitoring of cardiorespiratory signals while the patient is at home might thus allow early identification of clinical deterioration and prompt optimization of treatment, leading to reduced hospitalizations and mortality and improved quality of life. Within the European Community multicenter trial HHH (Home or Hospital in Heart Failure), we are testing a novel low-cost system for 24-hour recording of cardiorespiratory signals, suitable to be self-managed by the patient at home, with transmission of acquired data through standard telephone lines to the medical/nursing staff. Preliminary results from 24 CHF patients enrolled so far indicate that monthly home telemonitoring is feasible and the compliance is high.