Table 4.

Baseline characteristics of RCTs

Included RCTs	N (intervention)	N (control)	Total	Mean age	% Male	Mean LVEF	Intervention	Control	Follow-up period
Beller et al. [103]	130	63	193	61	76	28	Initial oral dose of 5 mg of lisinopril. The dose of diuretic therapy was adjusted based on the clinical condition of the patient, particularly to control edema	Matching placebo	3 months
Brown et al. [115]	116	125	241	62	82	25	The 24-week double-blind treatment period beginning with 10 mg of fosinopril. In the ensuing 3 weeks, patients were titrated to 20 mg of study medication (level TI), as tolerated	Matching placebo	N/R
CDMR [119]	200	100	300	57	83	25	Captopril (25 to 50 mg, three times a day)	Placebo	6 months
Consensus et al. [241]	127	126	263	71	56	< 40	Enalapril (2.5 to 40 mg/day)	Placebo	12 months
Erhardt et al. [148]	155	153	308	64	76	27	Fosinopril 10 mg	Matching placebo	12 weeks
Pfeffer et al. [216]	1115	1116	2231	60	83	31	Captopril	Placebo	36 months
Yusuf et al. [233]	1285	1284	2569	61	81	25	Enalapril	Placebo	41 months
Yusuf et al. [234]	2111	2117	4228	59	89	28	Enalapril	Placebo	42 months
Cleland et al. [126]	89	190	279	63	74	< 35	Warfarin with INR of 2.5	Aspirin or no antithrombotic therapy	27 months
Cokkinos et al. [129]	92	105	197	59	85	28	Warfarin was supplied as 5-mg tablets. The daily dose was 2.5–10 mg, with a target INR of 2–3	Placebo	19.5 months
Zannad et al. [265]	2507	2515	5022	66	77	34	Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily	Placebo	21 months
Cohn and Toghoni [128]	2511	2499	5010	63	80	27	Valsartan was initiated at a dose of 40 mg twice daily, and the dose was doubled every 2 weeks until a target dose of 160 mg twice daily was reached	Placebo	23 months
Granger et al. [160]	179	91	270	66	25	26	Candesartan, 4 mg, 8 mg and 16 mg	Matching placebo	12 months
Granger et al. [161]	1013	1015	2028	66	68	30	Candesartan, 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg	Matching placebo	34 months
Maggioni et al. [190]	185	181	67	63	71	28	Valsartan	Placebo	12 months
McMurray et al. [197]	N/R	N/R	7599	67	40	54	Candesartan	Matching placebo	N/R
Spargias et al. [235]	1734	243	1977	67	74	40	Ramipril	Placebo	N/R
Sturm [237]	51	49	100	52	90	17	Atenolol	Placebo	24 months
Australia/New Zealand Heart Failure Research Collaborative Group [99]	208	207	415	67	80	29	Carvedilol	Matching placebo	19 months
Beta-Blocker evaluation of survival trial [105]	1354	1354	2708	60	79	23	Initial oral dose of 3 mg of bucindolol, which was repeated twice daily for 1 week	Placebo	24 months
Bristow et al. [114]	261	84	345	60	78	23	Low-dose Carvedilol (6.25 mg BID), medium-dose Carvedilol (12.5 mg BID), and high-dose Carvedilol (25 mg BID)	Placebo	6 months
CIBIS [123]	320	321	641	N/R	N/R	25	2.5 mg Bisoprolol	2,5 mg placebo	1.9 years
CIBIS-II [124]	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	28	Bisoprolol 1.25 mg	Placebo	1.3 years
Colucci et al. [130]	232	134	366	55	86	23	Carvedilol	Placebo	213 days
Dargie [134]	975	984	1959	63	74	33	Carvedilol	Identical looking placebo	1.3 years
Fisher et al. [149]	25	25	50	63	100	22	Metoprolol, from 6.25 to 12.5 mg twice a day to 12.5 mg three times a day to 25 mg twice a day	Placebo	6 months
Goldstein et al. [159]	40	20	60	N/R	N/R	27	The initial dose of approximately 12.5 mg Metoprolol (one half of a 25 mg tablet) was administered once daily. The dose of metoprolol was increased to 25 mg and subsequently increased in steps of 50 mg to 100 mg and finally to 150 mg once daily	Matching placebo	26 weeks
Komajda [177]	N/R	N/R	572	N/R	N/R	< 40	Enalapril	Matching placebo	N/R
Merit-HF [198]	1990	2001	3991	64	78	28	Metoprolol	Placebo	1 year
Packer et al. [208]	133	145	278	61	73	22	Carvedilol, 25–50 mg BID	Placebo	6 months
Packer et al. [209]	696	398	1094	58	77	23	Carvedilol	Placebo	6.5 months
Packer et al. [210]	1156	1133	2289	63	80	20	Carvedilol	Placebo	10.4 months
van Veldhuisen et al. [248]	678	681	1359	76	70	29	Nebivolol	Placebo	21 months
Di Biase [138]	102	101	203	74	60	29	PVI + LAPWI + SVCI + CFAE	AMIO therapy	24 months
Jones and Wong [173]	26	26	52	63	87	22	PVI + linear then CFAEs	Rate control	12 months
MacDonald et al. [189]	22	19	41	63	78	20	PVI ± linear lesions + CFAEs	Rate control	6 months
Marrouche et al. [192]	179	184	363	85	61	32	PVI + / − additional lesions at discretion of operator	Rate and/or rhythm control	38 months
Prabhu et al. [223]	33	33	66	91	61	35	PVI + LAPWI	Rate control	6 months
DIG [139]	3397	3403	6800	64	78	29	Digoxin	Placebo	37 months
Packer et al. [207]	85	93	178	61	76	28	Digoxin	Placebo	3 months
Uretsky et al. [247]	42	46	88	64	90	29	Digoxin	Withdrawal of digoxin	3 months
Assmus et al. [95]	24	23	47	61	100	39–41	Intracoronary infusion of BMC or CPC	No cell infusion	3 months
Assmus et al. [96]	64	39	103	65	90	32–37	Intracoronary infusion of BMCs	Cell-free medium (placebo)	45.7 months
Bartunek et al. [100]	32	15	47	59	91	28	Patients in the cell therapy arm received bone marrow–derived cardiopoietic stem cells meeting quality release criteria	Standard of care comprising a beta-blocker, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, and a diuretic with dosing and schedule tailored for maximal benefit and tolerability in accordance with practice guidelines for heart failure management	2 years
Bolli et al. [111]	16	7	23	57	100	30	Autologous CSCs were isolated from the right atrial appendage and re-infused intracoronarily 4 ± 1 months after surgery;	No treatment	12 months
Hamshere et al. [165]	15	15	30	56	86	42	G-CSF + BMSC	Peripheral placebo (saline)	12 months
Heldman et al. [168]	22	11	33	60	95	38–40	Mesenchymal stem cell group or bone marrow mononuclear cell group	Placebo	12 months
Heldman et al. [168]	38	21	59	61	100	36	Mesenchymal stem cell group or bone marrow mononuclear cell group	Placebo	12 months
Mathiasen et al. [194]	40	20	60	66	90	28	BMSC	Placebo	6 months
Menasché [195]	63	34	97	61	100	29	Cell suspension	Placebo solution consisting of the suspension medium without skeletal myoblasts	72 months
Mozid et al. [203]	14	2	16	70	94	31	G-CSF + BMSC	Placebo	6 months
Patel et al. [212]	24	6	30	59	100	26	BMAC infusion	Standard heart failure care	12 months
Pätilä et al. [213]	20	19	39	65	95	37	Injections of BMMC or vehicle intra-operatively into the myocardial infarction border area	Controls received only vehicle medium by syringes	12 months
Perin et al. [214]	20	10	30	61	80	39	Transendocardial delivery of ABMMNCs	Placebo	6 months
Austin et al. [98]	100	100	200	60	66	85% < 35	An 8-week cardiac rehabilitation program that was coordinated by the clinical nurse specialist. Patients attended classes twice weekly for a period of 2.5 h	Eight weekly monitoring of clinical status (functional performance, fluid status, cardiac rhythm, laboratory assessment) in the cardiology outpatients by the clinical nurse specialist	8 weeks
Belardinelli et al. [101]	50	49	99	59	88	28	The exercise group underwent exercise training for 14 months	The control group did not exercise	14 months
Belardinelli et al. [102]	63	60	123	59	78	37	The trained group underwent an ET program for 10 years. The training program consisted of 3 sessions per week at the hospital for 2 months, then 2 supervised sessions the rest of the year. Every 6 months, patients exercised at the hospital, and then they returned to a coronary club, where they exercised the rest of the year	The nontrained group was not provided with a formal ET program	120 months
Chen et al. [121]	19	18	27	61	36	36	Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation for 1 week, before starting home-based cardiac rehabilitation. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation was conducted by requesting the interventional group to carry out aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week, for a duration of at least 30 min each time	Instructed to maintain both their standard medical care and previous activity levels	3 months
Cowie et al. [131]	30	16	46	64	91		The hospital group attended a physiotherapist-led class	A DVD and booklet (replicating the class) was created for home use. Controls followed their usual HFNS care	5 years
Dalal et al. [132]	107	109	216	70	78	35	REACH-HF manual for patients with a choice of two structured exercise programs	No cardiac rehabilitation approach that included medical management according to national and local guidelines, including specialist heart failure nurse care	12 weeks
Ellingsen et al. [147]	78	81	261	60	81	29	HIIT and MCT had 3 supervised sessions per week on a treadmill or bicycle. HIIT included four 4-min intervals aiming at 90 to 95% of maximal heart rate separated by 3-min active recovery periods of moderate intensity. MCT sessions aimed at 60 to 70% of maximal heart rate	Patients were advised to exercise at home according to current recommendations and attended a session of moderate-intensity training at 50 to 70% of maximal heart rate every 3 weeks	3 months
Giannuzzi et al. [156]	45	45	90	60	N/R	25	The exercise protocol consisted of supervised continuous sessions of 30-min bicycle ergometry > 3 times a week (3 to 5 times) at 60% of the peak V˙ O2 achieved at the initial symptom-limited exercise testing. In addition to supervised sessions, patients were asked to take a brisk daily walk for > 30 min and intermittent unsupervised sessions of calisthenics (30 min) as part of the home-based exercise program	Educational support, but no formal exercise protocol	6 months
Hambrecht et al. [163]	12	10	22	52	27	26	Patients assigned to the training program remained in an intermediate care ward for the initial 3 weeks. Training sessions were conducted individually under strict supervision for the first 3 weeks. Patients exercised six times daily for 10 min on a bicycle ergometer	Patients assigned to the control group spent 3 days in an intermediate care ward for baseline evaluation. After discharge, medical therapy was continued, and patients were supervised by their private physicians	6 months
Hambrecht et al. [164]	36	37	73	54	100	27	2 weeks of in-hospital ergometer exercise for 10 min 4 to 6 times per day, followed by 6 months of home-based ergometer exercise training for 20 min per day at 70% of peak oxygen uptake	No intervention	6 months
Jolly et al. [172]	84	85	169	66	75	< 40	Three supervised exercise sessions to plan an individualized exercise program. These were followed by a home-based program, with home visits at 4, 10, and 20 weeks, telephone support at 6, 15, and 24 weeks, and a manual with details about safe progressive exercise and self-monitoring of frequency, duration, and intensity	Specialist heart failure nurse input in primary and secondary care through clinic and home visits that included the provision of information about heart failure, advice about self-management and monitoring of their condition, and titration of beta-blocker therapy	3 months
Mueller et al. [204]	25	25	50	55	100	< 40	Five indoor cycling sessions were performed weekly for a duration of 30 min, and all subjects walked outdoors for 45 min twice daily. Training duration was one month	Control subjects received usual clinical care, including verbal encouragement to remain physically active	1 month
Passino et al. [211]	44	41	85	N/R	N/R	35	The training group underwent a nine-month training program. The training program consisted of cycling on a bike for a minimum of 3 days per week, 30 min per day	Control patients continued their usual lifestyle	9 months
Willenheimer et al. [258]	27	27	54	N/R	N/R	35	Patients carried out cycle ergometer interval training at a heart rate corresponding to 80% of peak-VO2 ± 5 beats/min, for as long as possible during each interval	Control patients were asked not to change their degree of physical activity during the active study period	6 months
Abraham et al. [87]	228	225	453	64	68	22	Atrial-synchronized biventricular pacing	No pacing for six months, during which time medications for heart failure were to be kept constant	6 months
Abraham et al. [88]	101	85	186	64	89	25	Optimal medical treatment with active CRT and active ICD therapy	Optimal medical treatment and active ICD therapy	6 months
Bentkover et al. [104]	36	36	72	79	79	< 35	Biventricular pacing and ICD	ICD alone	6 months
Cazeau et al. [118]	29	29	58	63	75	23	Atriobiventricular (active) pacing	Ventricular inhibited (inactive) pacing	3 months
Chung [122]	9	9	18	76	76	30	A CRT–defibrillator device with LV coronary venous lead system	A dual-chamber ICD	12 months
Daubert et al. [135]	82	180	262	81	81	28	Patients who had undergone successful implantation were randomly assigned in a 2-to-1 scheme to a CRT ON group for 24 months	CRT OFF	24 months
Gasparini et al. [153]	33	36	69	67	94	26	BiV CRT	LV	12 months
Higgins et al. [169]	245	245	490	66	84	22	CRT-D	ICD	6 months
Linde et al. [183]	25	18	43	66	84	30	Biventricular VVIR pacing during two 3-month periods	Right-univentricular VVIR pacing during two 3-month periods	3 months
Leclercq et al. [184]	25	19	44	74	100	27	Biventricular VVIR pacing during two 3-month periods	Right-univentricular VVIR pacing during two 3-month periods	3 months
Linde et al. [185]	419	191	610	79	79	27	Active CRT	Control	12 months
Martinelli et al. [193]	27	27	54	59	68	30	Device was initially programmed to BiVP, crossed to RVP and crossed back to BiVP	Device was initially programmed to RVP, crossed to BiVP and crossed back to RVP	18 months
Moss et al. [201]	742	490	1232	65	85	23	ICD	Conventional medical therapy	20 months
Moss et al. [202]	1089	731	1820	75	75	24	Cardiac-resynchronization therapy with biventricular pacing	ICD alone	2.4 years
Piepoli et al. [217]	44	45	89	72	72	24	CRT-P/CRT-D	Medical	12 months
Pinter et al. [218]	36	36	72	79	79	23	CRT-D	ICD	6 months
Pokushalov et al. [221]	91	87	178	90	90	29	CRT-P + CABG	CABG	18 months
Pokushalov et al. [222]	13	13	26	96	96	27	BMMC + active CRT	BMMC + inactive CRT	6 months
Ruschitzka et al. [226]	404	405	809	72	72	27	CRT capability turned on	CRT capability turned off	19.4 months
Tang et al. [240]	894	904	1798	83	83	23	ICD + CRT	ICD alone	40 months
Thibault et al. [242]	60	61	121	75	75	24	biventricular CRT	LV CRT	6 months
Thibault et al. [243]	44	41	85	71	71	25	CRT-D	ICD	12 months
Young et al. [262]	182	187	369	68	78	24	Combined CRT and ICD capabilities	ICD activated, CRT off	6 months
Fragasso et al. [151]	34	31	65	65	96	35	Trimetazidine, 20 mg three times daily	Placebo	13 months
Rosano et al. [225]	16	16	32	66	75	33	20 mg t.d.s. trimetazidine	Placebo t.d.s	6 months
Tuunanen et al. [245]	12	7	19	58	79	34	Trimetazidine	Placebo	3 months
Vitale et al. [252]	23	24	47	78	85	29	Trimetazidine	Placebo	6 months
Margulies et al. [191]	154	146	300	62	69	25	Liraglutide	Placebo	6 months
Fox et al. [150]	5479	5438	10,917	60	83	32	Ivabradine 7.5 MG BID	Placebo	19 months
Swedberg et al. [238]	3241	3264	6505	65	76	29	Ivabradine 7.5 MG BID	Placebo	22.9 months
Asgar et al. [94]	50	42	92	75	77	38	Treated with the MitraClip	This retrospective comparator group consisted of medically managed patients	22–33 months
Giannini et al. [155]	60	60	120	76	70	34	MitraClip	Optimal medical therapy	17 months
Obadia et al. [206]	152	152	304	71	79	33	Percutaneous mitral-valve repair	medical therapy alone	12 months
Stone et al. [236]	302	312	614	73	67	31	Transcatheter mitral-valve repair plus medical therapy	Medical therapy alone	16.5 months
Boccanelli et al. [109]	188	193	381	63	84	40	Canrenone	Placebo	12 months
Chan et al. [120]	23	25	48	63	83	27	Candesartan 8 mg and spironolactone 25 mg once daily	Candesartan 8 mg and a matching identical placebo once daily	12 months
Cicoira et al. [125]	54	52	106	67	86	33	Spironolactone treatment, at an initial dose of 25 mg once daily	Placebo	12 months
Pitt et al. [219]	822	841	1663	65	73	25	Spironolactone, 25 mg	Matching placebo	24 months
Pitt et al. [220]	3319	3313	6632	64	71	33	Eplerenone	Placebo	16 months
Udelson et al. [246]	116	109	225	63	84	27	Eplerenone, 50 mg/d	Placebo	9 months
Vizzardi et al. [253]	65	65	130	65	N/R	36	25 mg of spironolactone once daily	Matching placebo	44 months
Zannad et al. [264]	1364	1373	2737	69	78	26	Eplerenone 50 mg/d	Placebo	21 months
Atienza et al. [97]	164	174	338	68	60	36	1 individual session prior to discharge by nurse, 1 visit to physician, 3-monthly follow-up visits and tele-monitoring	Usual care (discharge planning according to protocol)	509 days
Blue et al. [108]	84	81	165	75	48	Severe 40%	Planned home visits of decreasing frequency, supplemented by telephone contact as needed. The aim was to educate the patient about heart failure and its treatment, optimize treatment (drugs, diet, exercise), monitor electrolyte concentrations, teach self-monitoring and management, liaise with other health care and social workers as required, and provide psychological support	Patients in the usual care group were managed as usual by the admitting physician and, subsequently, general practitioner. They were not seen by the specialist nurses after hospital discharge	12 months
Lok et al. [116]	118	122	240	71	79	31	An intensive follow-up of the patients during 1 year at a HF outpatient clinic led by a HF physician and a cardiovascular nurse. Verbal and written comprehensive education was imparted about the disease and the aetiology, medication, compliance and possible adverse events. Patients were advised about individualized diet with salt and fluid restriction, weight control, early recognition of worsening HF, when to call a healthcare provider, and about physical exercise and rest. An appointment with a dietician was made. The nurse asked the patient about his or her social and medical circumstances and performed a short physical examination. The physician assessed the clinical condition of the patient, the laboratory results and ECG, performed a physical examination, and, together with the nurse, proposed a treatment regimen	Their routine care was no doubt largely according to the guideline of the European Society of Cardiology prevailing at that time (version 2001), with optimal application of medical therapy including the target dose or high dose of HF medication	12 months
Capomolla et al. [117]	112	122	234	56	84	31	The objectives of the multidisciplinary staff are prevention and functional recovery of consequences of acute hemodynamic instabilization	Patients were referred to their primary care physician and cardiologist. During follow-up the process of care was driven by the patient’s needs into a heterogeneous range of emergency room management, hospital admission, and outpatient access	12 months
Cline et al. [127]	80	110	190	76	55	36	The education program consisted of two 30-min information visits by a nurse during primary hospitalization and a 1-h information visit for patients and family 2 weeks after discharge	Routine clinical practice	1 year
Dendale et al. [136]	80	80	160	76	65	33	Patients were seen in the outpatient heart failure clinic with additional planned visits at 3 and 6 months. Daily patient telemonitoring was conducted with specified alert limits set for each patient. Alterations in patient status were forwarded to the general practitioner and heart failure clinic for subsequent patient follow-up and management	Usual care	6 months
Dewalt et al. [137]	303	302	605	61	52	< 40	The intervention began with a 1-h educational session with a clinical pharmacist or health educator during a regular clinic visit. Patients were given an educational booklet designed for low literacy patients and a digital scale. As part of the educational session, patients were taught to identify signs of heart failure exacerbation, perform daily weight assessment, and adjust their diuretic dose. The program coordinator then made scheduled follow-up phone calls and monthly during months	Patients enrolled in the control group received a general heart failure education pamphlet written at approximately the 7th grade level and continued with usual care from their primary physician	12 months
Doughty et al. [143]	100	97	197	74	56	34	One-on-one education with the study nurse was initiated at the first clinic visit. A patient diary, for daily weights, medication record, clinical notes and appointments, and education booklet were provided. Group education sessions (each lasting 1.5–2 h) were offered, two within 6 weeks of hospital discharge and a further after 6 months	Continued under the care of their GP with additional follow-up measures as usually recommended by the medical team responsible for their in-patient care	12 months
Ducharme et al. [144]	115	115	230	70	73	35	Patients in the intervention group were referred to a multidisciplinary specialized heart failure outpatient clinic where they were evaluated by the study team within 2 weeks of hospital discharge	Received treatment and appropriate follow-up according to the standards of the attending physicians but without further direct contact with the research team or the planned intervention	6 months
Ekman et al. [146]	79	79	158	N/R	N/R	43	The structured-care program was based on a nurse monitored, outpatient clinic, run in cooperation with the study doctors, who were responsible for optimal pharmacological treatment	Usual care	5 months
Gallagher et al. [152]	20	20	40	64	75	25	A licensed clinical social worker reviewed adherence data daily during the first 7 days after discharge and weekly thereafter and contacted participants who were nonadherent for two or more days per week. During these phone calls, the social worker inquired about consequences of nonadherence, and assessed and responded to reasons for missed doses	For participants assigned to passive monitoring, adherence data were recorded but not monitored by the study team	1 months
Hancock et al. [166]	16	12	28	85	44	43	An assessment visit by a consultant cardiologist who initiated a plan of treatment, followed by visits at one to two weekly intervals within the home by heart failure specialist nurses. The HFSNs enacted the plan, including blood tests, assessment of symptoms and signs, educational advice, and medication titration	Routine care	6 months
Jaarsma et al. [47]	340	339	679	72	66	34	(A) 2 individual session by cardiologist, 9 visits to nurse, possibility to contact nurse (B) 2 individual sessions by cardiologist, 18 visits to nurse, 2 home visits, 2 multidisciplinary sessions, follow-up telephone contact by nurse	Usual care (standard management by cardiologist)	18 months
Kasper et al. [175]	102	98	200	62	61	27	Patients received nurse-led care coordination linked to a multidisciplinary team composed of a heart failure nurse, cardiologist, and patient’s primary care physician. Patients were contacted via telephone at preplanned intervals after discharge, in addition to scheduled visits within the community	Patients received unrestricted follow-up care from their primary physicians, who received a baseline heart failure management plan, as documented in the patient's chart	6 months
Krumholz et al. [180]	44	44	88	74	57	38	The study intervention was based on five sequential care domains for chronic illness, including patient knowledge of the illness, the relation between medications and illness, the relation between health behaviors and illness, knowledge of early signs and symptoms of decompensation and where and when to obtain assistance	Patients assigned to the control group received all usual care treatments and services ordered by their physicians	12 months
Liu et al. [186]	53	53	200	63	66	29	The patient was cared for by an HF team consisting of 3 cardiologists specialized in HF care, one psychologist, one dietary assistant, and two case managers	The primary care physician was responsible for patient evaluation, treatment and clinic visits. Neither scheduled follow-up nor specialized HF nurses were available	6 months
Luttik et al. [188]	92	97	200	73	63	32	Follow-up by the HF clinic	Follow-up by their GP	12 months
Lyngå et al. [68]	166	153	344	73	75	57% < 30	Patients randomized to the IG were given an electronic scale to install in their homes	The patients in the CG were informed to contact the HF clinic on a special telephone in the case of a weight gain of .2 kg in 3 days	12 months
Mcdonald et al. [196]	51	47	98	71	66	37	Patients systematically received specialist nurse-led education and specialist dietitian consults on three or more occasions during the index admission. The education program focused on daily weight monitoring, disease and medication understanding, and salt restriction	Patients underwent investigations for HF, including echocardiography and right and left heart catheterization where indicated. Optimal medical therapy was administered	3 months
Schou et al. [229]	460	460	200	69	63	32	Patients allocated to an extended follow-up completed the following program: visits at 1–3-month intervals at the discretion of the investigators	Usual care by a GP	9 months
Smith et al. [231]	92	106	198	63	66	30	The intervention began with four weekly group visit appointments followed by a 5th “booster” appointment held 6 months after randomization	HF care from their existing treatment team both during and after hospitalization	12 months
Tsuyuki et al. [244]	140	136	276	74	55	31	The essential components of the patient support program were simplified into 5 basic areas: salt and fluid restriction, daily weighing, exercise alternating with rest periods, proper medication use, and knowing when to call their physician (early recognition of worsening symptoms)	Usual care	6 months
Wierzchowiecki et al. [257]	64	65	129	81	N/R	36	Multidisciplinary care	Routine care	6 months
Bielecka-Dabrowa et al. [107]	41	27	68	57	85	29	Atorvastatin 40 mg daily for 2 months (8 weeks) and next 10 mg for 4 months	DCM was treated according to present standards without statin therapy	6 months
Hamaad et al. [162]	12	9	23	67	86	32	Atorvastatin, 40 mg once daily	Placebo	32.8 months
Node et al. [205]	23	25	48	48	69	34	Simvastatin	Placebo	3.5 months
Sola et al. [232]	54	54	108	33	63	33	Atorvastatin	No statin treatment	12 months
Takano et al. [239]	288	286	577	63	N/R	34	Pitavastatin	Control	35.5 months
Vrtovec et al. [254]	55	55	110	62	61	25	Atorvastatin (10 mg/day)	No statins	12 months
Wojnicz et al. [259]	36	38	74	38	81	28	Atorvastatin	Placebo	6 months
Xie et al. [260]	N/R	N/R	81	N/R	N/R	38	Atorvastatin (10–20 mg/day)	Routine treatment	12 months
Yamada et al. [261]	19	19	38	64	79	34	Atorvastatin 10 mg/day	Conventional treatment	31 months
Angermann et al. [92]	352	363	715	69	71	30	Included the following elements: (1) in-hospital face-to-face contact between specialist nurse, patient, and relatives to explain the intervention, practice supervision of blood pressure, heart rate and symptoms; (2) telephone-based structured monitoring; (3) up titration of heart failure medication; (4) needs-adjusted specialist care, which nurses coordinated with patients’ physician(s); (5) measures for appropriate education and supervision of interveners to ensure high intervention quality	Standard postdischarge planning, which typically included treatment plans, comprehensive discharge letters, and fixed appointments with GPs or cardiologists within 7–14 days	6 months
Chaudhry et al. [69]	826	827	1653	61	52	71% < 40	Structured (daily) telephone-based monitoring (of symptoms and weight) via an interactive voice response system	Standard optimal care. Followed by local physician. Guideline based therapy	6 months
Domingues et al. [142]	48	63	111	63	68	29	Structured (weekly for 1st month, every 15 days for following 2 months) telephone-based education and monitoring signs and symptoms of decompensation	Usual care that consisted of the follow-up of the patient at the return appointment at the outpatient clinic without any telephone contact	3 months
Dunagan et al. [145]	76	75	151	70	44	75% < 40	The intervention group received additional education from study nurses during scheduled telephone contact	Educational packet describing the causes of HF, the basic principles of treatment, their role in routine care and monitoring of their condition, and appropriate strategies for managing a HF exacerbation	12 months
Gattis et al. [154]	90	91	181	67	68	30	Clinical pharmacist-led medication review and patient education. Regularly scheduled telephone contact (at 2, 12 and 24 weeks) to detect clinical deterioration early	Usual care	6 months
Krum et al. [179]	188	217	405	73	61	36	Nurse-led telephone monitoring. Participant responded to computer-generated CHF self-monitoring questions by pressing the numbers on the touch-phone keypad. Nurse survey incoming calls daily and responded to preset variations to participant's parameters	Usual care involved standard general practice management of heart failure	12 months
Laramee et al. [182]	141	146	287	71	54	< 40	Four major components were (1) early discharge planning and coordination of care, (2) individualized and comprehensive patient and family education, (3) 12 weeks of enhanced telephone follow-up and surveillance, and (4) promotion of optimal CHF medications and medication doses (ACEIs or ARBs and BBs)	Standard care, typical of a tertiary care hospital, and all conventional treatments requested by the attending physician	3 months
Mortara et al. [200]	301	160	461	60	85	29	The patients enrolled in HT strategies 2 and 3 transmitted weekly records of the following data to the coordinating center via an automated interactive voice response system: weight; heart rate; systolic arterial pressure; dyspnea score; asthenia score; oedema score; changes in therapy; and blood results	Patients allocated to the control arm were discharged as normal from the hospital	12 months
Peters-klimm et al. [215]	97	100	197	70	72	38	The design of the intervention addressed 4 elements: delivery system design, self-management support, decision support, clinical information systems	No case management was applied	12 months
Ramachandran et al. [224]	25	25	50	45	78	21	Intervention group participants were managed in the heart failure clinic and received disease, medication and self-management education and telephonic disease management which consisted of reinforcement of information and drug dose modification	Usual care in the heart failure clinic	6 months
Sisk et al. [230]	203	203	406	N/R	N/R	< 40	An in-person appointment was arranged for each intervention participant, which included symptom and disease education and referral to additional patient services (if required). Follow-up telephone calls consisted of participant assessment, recording of admission information reinforcement of self-monitoring and administration of a food-frequency questionnaire	Usual care patients received federal consumer guidelines for managing systolic dysfunction but no other intervention	12 months
Adamson et al. [89]	N/R	N/R	32	59	38	29	Permanent right-ventricular implantable hemodynamic monitor system similar to a single-lead pacemaker	Historical controls	17 months
Adamson et al. [90]	198	202	400	55	69	23	Expert disease management conforming to consensus recommendations coupled with hemodynamic information from the IHM	The control group received expert disease management with frequent and random nursing calls	12 months
Al-khatib et al. [91]	76	75	151	63	62	25	Remote monitoring of ICDs using the Medtronic CareLink transmission monitor	Quarterly ICD interrogations in clinic classified as standard of care	12 months
Antonicelli et al. [93]	28	29	57	78	61	35	Patients were contacted by telephone at least once a week by the team to obtain information on symptoms and adherence to prescribed treatment, as well as blood pressure, heart rate, bodyweight and 24-h urine output data for the previous day. A weekly ECG transmission was also required. Evaluation of these parameters was followed by reassessment of the therapeutic regimen and modification whenever needed	Standard care based on routinely scheduled clinic visits from a team specialized in CHF patient management	12 months
Biannic et al. [106]	35	38	73	78	79	32	TM during 3 months, after which participants all received usual care up until 1 year	Usual care	3 months
Böhm et al. [110]	497	505	1002	66	80	27	Telemedicine alerts enabled, triggered by intrathoracic fluid index threshold crossing, which was programmed at the investigator’s discretion. The fluid status monitoring algorithm detects changes in thoracic impedance resulting from accumulation of intrathoracic fluid as an early sign of developing cardiac decompensation	To not transmit alerts	23 months
Boriani et al. [112]	428	437	865	66	76	27	Received a monitor for scheduled remote device checks, and automatic alerts for lung fluid accumulation atrial tachyarrhythmia, and system integrity were enabled. In-office device checks were requested to re-arm alerts which had been temporarily inactivated due to previous transmissions	In-office follow-ups alone	24 months
Boyne et al. [113]	185	197	382	71	59	36	The patients in the intervention arm received a device, with a liquid crystal display and four keys, connected to a landline phone. Daily pre-set dialogues were communicated about symptoms, knowledge, and behaviour, being answered by touching one of the keys and sent to a server and to the nurses’ desktop	Nurse-led usual care was given according to the latest European Society of Cardiology guidelines, including oral and written educational information, and psychosocial support as needed	12 months
Capomolla et al. [310]	67	66	133	57	88	29	The objectives of the multidisciplinary staff are prevention and functional recovery of consequences of acute hemodynamic instabilization. The team members also have the task of creating, analyzing, and correcting the organization that supports the process of treatment identified in an individual care plan	Patients were referred to their primary care physician and cardiologist. During follow-up the process of care was driven by the patient’s needs into a heterogeneous range of emergency room management, hospital admission, and outpatient access	11 months
Dar et al. [133]	91	91	182	72	66	61% < 40	Home telemonitoring. Daily measurement, manual transmission of weight, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and symptoms	Standard care	6 months
Domenichini et al. [140]	39	41	80	68	94	29	OptiVolw or CorVueTM functions and alarms activated	The OptiVolw or CorVueTM functions switched on, as Group 1, whereas the alarms were not activated	12 months
Domingo et al. [141]	44	48	92	66	71	36	Motiva System with educational videos, motivational messages	Patients were instructed to record their weight, blood pressure, and heart rate each morning before breakfast	12 months
Giordano et al. [157]	230	230	460	57	85	28	Patient telemonitoring involving medical and nursing professionals. Daily transmission of cardiac parameters was monitored by a cardiologist, general practitioner and nurse, who assessed the patient's clinical status, providing consultation or triage. Nurse-driven telephone contacts to assess patient status and treatment regimen adherence were conducted weekly, or biweekly, dependent on patient status	Referred to their primary care physician. A structured follow-up with the cardiologist at 12 months in the hospital outpatient department and the appointment with the primary care physician within 2 weeks from the discharge were planned	12 months
Goldberg et al. [158]	138	142	280	N/R	N/R	22	The system includes an electronic scale placed in patients’ homes. Patients were instructed to weigh themselves and respond to yes/no questions about heart failure related symptoms twice daily. The attending physician individualized the symptom questions and weight goals for each patient at the time of enrollment	Patients were instructed to contact their physician for weight increases of more than a prespecified amount or if their symptoms of heart failure worsened. These patients were asked to bring a copy of their home weight log to study visits	6 months
Hansen et al. [167]	102	108	210	63	83	28	Receive quarterly automated follow-up via telemetry	Receive quarterly personal contact with a physician	13 months
Hindricks et al. [170]	331	333	664	66	81	26	In the telemonitoring group, transmitted data were reviewed by study investigators according to their clinical routine. In parallel, transmitted data were reviewed by a central monitoring unit composed of trained study nurses and supporting physicians	In the control group, no study participant had access to telemonitoring data until study completion. All patients were treated according to European guidelines	12 months
Idris et al. [171]	14	14	28	63	39	23	Daily remote monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and weight via the telemonitoring system for 3 months	Standard care	3.6 months
Kashem et al. [174]	24	24	48	54	74	25	Blood pressure, pulse, steps/day, and weight together with symptoms were entered. The most recent laboratory data and medication were entered by the practice staff, and the patient was instructed to review medications and laboratory values and transmit any questions to the practice	Usual care	12 months
Koehler et al. [176]	354	356	710	67	82	27	The system is based on a wireless Bluetooth device, together with a personal digital assistant, as the central structural element. Data transfer was performed with the use of cell phone technologies. The patient performed a daily self-assessment and the data were transferred to the responsible telemedical center	Usual care	26 months
Koehler et al. [311]	N/R	N/R	710	67	81	< 30	The system is based on a wireless Bluetooth device together with a personal digital assistant as the central structural element. The patient performed a daily self-assessment and the data was transferred to the telemedical center which provided physician-led medical support 24 h a day, 7 days a week for the entire study period	Usual care	24 months
Kraai et al. [178]	94	83	177	69	37	27	Patients in the telemonitoring group received telemonitoring devices at home consisting of a weighing scale, blood pressure equipment, an ECG-device and a health-monitor. The instruction was to record weight and blood pressure once a day and an ECG in case of starting or up-titration of Beta-blockers. After receiving the data from the above-mentioned devices, the health-monitor generated standard health-related questions regarding the patients’ health status	The ICT-guided-DSM group followed the normal HF-routine of the individual hospitals, like any other HF-patient, without limitations to the visits	9 months
Landolina et al. [181]	101	99	200	68	79	31	ICD-OptiVol	Remote transmission off	16 months
Lüthje et al. [187]	89	87	176	66	77	32	The device determines a representative impedance daily and compares this with a roving reference value. Whenever daily impedance drops below the reference, a cumulative, absolute difference is calculated, and called fluid index	Standard in-office visits were performed every 3 months	15 months
Morgan et al. [199]	824	826	1650	70	86	30	Remote monitoring via an electronic care record form management system	Usual care	34 months
Sardu et al. [227]	89	94	183	72	76	< 35	CRT-D with TM	CRT-D with traditional ambulatory monitoring	12 months
Scherr et al. [228]	54	54	108	66	79	25	Pharmacological treatment with telemedical surveillance for 6 months	Pharmacological treatment	6 months
Soran et al. [312]	160	155	315	76	31	24	Home-based disease management program to monitor and to detect early signs and symptoms of heart failure using telecommunication equipment	Patient 1-on-1 education, an effort to use evidenced-based optimal medical treatment, and a commercially available digital home scale with management by primary physician	6 months
van Veldhuisen [249]	167	168	335	86	86	25	Information available to physicians and patients as an audible alert in case of preset threshold crossings	Information and an alert were not available	15 months
Villani et al. [250]	30	30	60	69	75	31	N/A	N/A	12 months
Villani et al. [251]	40	40	80	72	74	32	The patient front-end operated through a personal digital assistant given to each patient leaving hospital. The cardiologist decided what variables should be followed up (e.g., heart rate, body weight, blood pressure, ECG) and the frequency of monitoring (e.g., daily for blood pressure and body weight, weekly for the ECG) according to the patient’s clinical characteristics	Usual care	1 year
Vuorinen et al. [255]	47	47	94	58	83	27	A patient regularly reported their most important health parameters to the nurse using a mobile phone app. At the beginning of the study, the patients were given a home-care package including a weight scale, a blood pressure meter, a mobile phone, and self-care instructions. The patients were advised to carry out and report the measurements together with the assessment of symptoms once a week	A multidisciplinary care approach including patient guidance and support for self-care has been adopted at the clinic	6 months
Weintraub et al. [256]	95	93	188	69	66	32	Specialized primary and networked care in heart failure disease management program	Disease management program in conjunction with the AHM system	3 months
Zan [263]	N/R	N/R	40	53	N/R	32	Intervention for heart failure self-management over a 90-day study period. Patients were instructed to take their weight, blood pressure, and heart rate measurements each morning	Matched controls	3 months

ABMMNC autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell, ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme, AMIO amiodarone, ARB angiotensin II receptor blockers, BB beta-blocker, BID twice a day, BiV biventricular, BMAC bone marrow aspirate stem cell concentrate, BMC bone marrow cells, BMMC bone marrow–derived mast cell, BMSC bone marrow stromal cells, CA catheter ablation, CABG coronary artery bypass graft, CFAE complex fractionated atrial electrogram, CPC circulating blood, CPET cardiopulmonary exercise test, CR cardiac rehabilitation, CRT cardiac resynchronization therapy, CRT cardiac resynchronization therapy, CRT-D cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator, CSC cardiac stem cells, ET exercise training, G-CSF granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, HIIT high-intensity interval training, ICD implantable cardioverter defibrillator, INR international normalized ratio, LAPWI left atrial posterior wall isolation, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction, MCT moderate-intensity continuous training, MDC multidisciplinary clinics, MRA mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, PVI pulmonary vein isolation, RVP right ventricular pacing, STS structured telephone support, SVCI systemic vascular conductance index, TM telemonitoring, VVIR ventricular rate modulated pacing