The CARE-HF study enrolled 813 patients from 82 centers in 12 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK). All patients that were reported to be alive in May 2005 will be asked to participate.~In the CARE-HF LTFU program patients from the CARE-HF trial were asked to be enrolled for an additional 4 year follow-up. Investigators were free to choose whatever available treatment they believe is in the patient's best interest, however the outcome of the CARE-HF trial suggested that all patients should receive CRT therapy on top of Optimal Medical Treatment.
The CARE-HF long-term follow-up trial evaluates the effects of cardiac resynchronization (CR) therapy on the mortality of patients from the CARE-HF program for an additional 4 year follow-up. Investigators are free to choose whatever available treatment they believe is in the patient's best interest.