Pilot Study of the QI Device for Monitoring of Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

The study population in both phases of the study will be made up of adult men and women admitted to the hospital with a clinical diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 will include up to 10 individuals each that meet the following Inclusion criteria and have no Exclusion criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults over age 18
• Own, and comfortable using, a home computer with internet access (Phase 2 only)

• Acute hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) diagnosed on the basis of all of the following:

  1. Symptoms:

     • Onset or worsening of dyspnea within the past 2 weeks

  2. Physical exam (at least 1 present):

     • Rales/ Crackles on auscultation
     • Elevated JVP > 10 cmH2O
     • Weight gain
     • LE edema

  3. Diagnostic imaging/ labs (at least 1 present):

     • Evidence of pulmonary congestion or edema on chest X-ray/ chest CT
     • Elevated BNP or NT-pro-BNP (age-adjusted)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychological or social situation that would make the study difficult for the patient
• Inability to consent
• Chronic atrial fibrillation or other dysrhythmia with a high (>10%) burden of ectopic beats.
• Pregnant women
• Pneumonia - currently, or within the past 30 days
• Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (e.g. ARDS)
• Interstitial lung disease
• End-stage renal disease and on Hemodialysis