At a home-health agency, I spoke to a nurse who could provide intravenous-drug therapy for patients with congestive heart failure.

NEWYORKER: The Cost Conundrum

The study, performed in Argentina, followed more than 1, 500 patients with congestive heart failure for approximately 15 months to determine whether phone intervention reduced mortality and hospitalizations from heart failure.

CNN: Study: Heart patients helped by phone calls

Because preliminary data suggest that the number of serotonin 2B receptors may be increased in patients with congestive heart failure, Belviq should be used with caution in patients with this condition.

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But, Nul said, the cost of this intervention is lower than the cost of patients being hospitalized, a significant point because much of the cost associated with congestive heart failure stems from patients needing to be hospitalized after they suffer setbacks.

CNN: Study: Heart patients helped by phone calls

In one, researchers followed 4, 493 Medicare patients with either terminal cancer or congestive heart failure.

NEWYORKER: Letting Go

Instead, the patients received regular follow-up for congestive heart failure, such as appointments with their doctor, and calls every three months to verify their status in the study and to check for such events as unreported hospitalizations.

CNN: Study: Heart patients helped by phone calls