Virtual care to improve recovery from heart failure hospitalization

VIrtual Care To Improve Outcomes and RecoverY From Heart Failure Hospitalization (VICTORY-HF) RCT

Not applicable Interventional Population Health Research Institute · NCT05724433

This study tests whether virtual follow-up visits can help people recovering from heart failure hospitalization feel better compared to regular in-person care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment891 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPopulation Health Research Institute Academic / other
Locations9 sites (Hamilton, Onatrio and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05724433 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to develop and implement a virtual model of care for patients recovering from heart failure (HF) hospitalization. The intervention involves virtual follow-up visits over a 90-day period, focusing on optimizing medication and health status outcomes. The study compares this virtual care approach to routine care to assess improvements in clinical outcomes and implementation. A pilot phase has already been conducted to refine the delivery process and gather preliminary data on health status changes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have been hospitalized for heart failure and have specific clinical indicators such as reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to engage with digital health technology or have severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance access to specialized heart failure care and improve recovery outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using virtual care models for chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in heart failure management.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Adult patients ≥ 18 years old who:

1. Are being discharged after hospitalization or urgent visit for HF as

   1. a primary diagnosis or
   2. significant complication (prolonging length of stay) of another diagnosis OR Have been referred for an initial consult at a cardiology clinic within 1 week of hospitalization or urgent visit for HF as a primary or secondary diagnosis, as described above.
2. Have left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 50% within the preceding 3 months.
3. Have NT-proBNP of \> 900 pg/ml during hospital admission or within 7 days after discharge from the ED
4. Have a mailing address for patient or caregiver
5. Provide verbal consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Died or left hospital before medically advised hospital discharge
2. Unable to self-assess or communicate symptoms (e.g. clinically evident dementia)
3. Unable to engage with digital health technology or follow up
4. Severe valve disease
5. Recipient of or on waiting list for LVAD or cardiac transplant
6. Complex congenital heart disease, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, or amyloid cardiomyopathy
7. Severe lung disease with symptoms on minimal exertion, forced expiratory volume during 1 second (FEV1) \< 1 litre, severe pulmonary hypertension with RVSP \> 60 mm Hg, or on home oxygen
8. Severe kidney disease (persistent eGFR \< 30 mL/min/1.73m2)
9. Active malignancy
10. Receiving palliative care or expected life expectancy \< 6 months

Where this trial is running

Hamilton, Onatrio and 8 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Heart FailureRandomized Controlled TrialDigital HealthKnowledge Translation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.