The Future of Cardiac Care: A Review on the Role for Non-Invasive, Home-Based Monitoring and Rehabilitation after Hospitalisation for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Heart failure (HF) is characterised by recurrent decompensation leading to worsening of symptoms and unplanned hospitalisations. Patients often experience poor post-hospitalisation recovery, fail to maintain functional capacity, and demonstrate a high risk for re-admission. In this review we discuss these challenges, and explore how non-invasive, digital solutions may improve health outcomes.

Recent findings: In contrast to current episodic surveillance, advances in wearable sensor technologies enable continuous, non-invasive monitoring to facilitate physiology-guided management to improve early clinical stabilisation. Additionally, trials have highlighted the potential of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation to improve functional capacity in HF patients. Finally, continuous monitoring of relevant physiological signals, through developing algorithms, have the potential for early prediction of clinical deterioration. Non-invasive, co-created digital solutions may facilitate early stabilisation, improve functional capacity and predict clinical deterioration following episodes of decompensation. Collectively, they may enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with HF.