title: Noninvasive monitoring of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure reduces rehospitalization rates in patients hospitalized for heart failure: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients admitted for heart failure (HF), unrecognized elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) at the time of discharge may have a role in the high rehospitalization rate for HF on follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a small, prospective study (n = 50), patients admitted for HF were randomized to management guided by daily noninvasive estimated LVEDP monitoring (Group I, open) to a target LVEDP of <20 mm Hg or management based on clinical assessment alone without knowledge of the estimated LVEDP (Group II, blinded). Noninvasive estimated LVEDP was measured by the VeriCor monitor, which uses the Valsalva maneuver to derive the LVEDP. The primary endpoints were the reduction of estimated LVEDP at discharge and the HF rehospitalization rate on follow-up. Estimated LVEDP was significantly reduced at discharge in the open group compared with the blinded group (mean estimated LVEDP 19.7 ± 1.3 mm Hg vs 25.6 ± 1.5 mm Hg, respectively, P = 0.01). The rehospitalization rates for HF on follow-up were significantly improved in the open group compared with the blinded group (at 1 month: 0% vs 25%, respectively [P = .05]; at 3 months: 0% vs 32% [P = .01]; at 6 months: 4% vs 36% [P = .01]; at 1 year: 16% vs 48% [P = .03]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When HF is managed by clinical assessment only, estimated LVEDPs remain high at discharge, resulting in early and frequent rehospitalization for HF. Therapy guided by estimated LVEDP monitoring optimizes filling pressures and reduces HF rehospitalization rates.
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02132, USA. gvrk_sharma@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G V R K
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000639:trends*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D017725:Ventricular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*