A multidisciplinary remote monitoring program significantly improved health status and quality of life for heart failure patients across nine medical centers in the Austrian state of Styria between 2019 and 2025.
Patient Health Status Rises After Care Program
A network of specialized physicians and nurses reviewed metrics. They sent messages, arranged calls, or scheduled visits.
Researchers analyzed data from 1,709 questionnaires completed at the start and 1,526 collected after three months. Among participants, 74% were male and 75% were aged over 60 years.
Health status was measured using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Results showed the overall summary score increased from 62.6 points at baseline to 76.9 points after three months in the programme, according to data presented at the ESC Digital & AI Summit 2026. Authors said improvements occurred across all questionnaire domains.
Patients Adopt Digital Care Systems
Ninety percent of participants reported independent device use. High adherence was recorded by the end of the intervention.
97% reported daily weight monitoring. 98% reported medication intake, 91% reported physical activity, and 88% reported fluid management.
89% expressed confidence in managing shortness of breath.
“Remote telemonitoring provides a way of integrating care, bringing general practitioners together with specialist doctors and nurses to support the daily needs of the patient,” said Andreas Prenner of the Styrian Hospital Corporation, Graz, Austria.
Ninety-four percent of patients considered telemonitoring a valuable concept and would recommend it. Nearly 60% expressed a desire to continue using remote monitoring. Investigators said the program has potential applications in other chronic conditions.
