Figure 1.

Conceptual framework for reducing the burden of worsening heart failure (HF) and HF hospitalizations. Continued widespread emphasis on generic, empiric, and generally unproven strategies (eg, telemonitoring, salt restriction, and nursing visits) to decrease HF hospitalizations has been largely unsuccessful and expensive. The central goal of these traditional approaches has been to prevent hospitalizations by preventing worsening signs and symptoms. To complement continued efforts of worsening HF prevention, we propose an added focus on developing effective strategies to treat clinical worsening as an outpatient. IV indicates intravenous.