Video calls versus phone calls for heart failure patients after hospital discharge

This trial studied whether video monitoring by cardiac nurses was more effective than audio (phone call) monitoring for patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure—a condition where the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Participants received either video calls or phone calls from specialized cardiac nurses at set times after leaving the hospital, and researchers compared how well each approach helped patients care for themselves and manage their condition.

Heart failure patients often need close follow-up care after hospitalization to prevent complications and readmission. This trial wanted to see whether video monitoring—which allows nurses to see patients and their home environment—might be more helpful than traditional phone calls alone.