A study presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology revealed surprising data about the home monitoring of elderly patients with heart failure. Researchers examined health and treatment data from medicare patients who either had or had not been monitored at home with a sophisticated device that constantly transmits data about heart function, blood pressure, and cardiovascular status. When compared to people who received no monitoring - i.e., they received "only" standard care including regular follow up appointments - those on the home monitoring program had no improvements in the rate of hospitalization, "cardiac events" (like heart attack), or death.

This suggests that the home monitoring plan, which costs almost $18,000 per year compared to $13,000 per year for standard care, may not be an effective way to improve patients' health.

It is important to note that this study only examined a specific sub-type of patient; namely, those who would have gotten regular care anyway, but were supplimented with the additional at home monitoring. It remains to be seen what benefits home monitoring provides for patients who otherwise would not be getting regular follow up care for their heart problems.