- Background & significance Heart failure is a major public health issue. More than 5 million Americans have HF and the prevalence is expected to increase as the population ages and survival from coronary, hypertensive, and valvular heart disease improves. Data from randomized clinical trials have established the efficacy of a number of medical and device therapies for patients with chronic Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but patient outcomes remain poor, especially after a hospitalization for heart failure. The 1-year mortality rate after a HF hospitalization is 20-30%, and this number has been relatively unchanged over the past decade. These data suggest that there is an unmet need for novel treatment strategies and supports the assessment of new approaches in the post-acute HF setting.