Health Innovations

CardioMEMS: Remote Monitoring for Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition affecting millions worldwide. It occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a backup of fluid that causes a variety of new or worsening symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles and difficulty performing everyday activities. Over time, heart failure can lead to serious complications, where the heart may give out altogether, leading to arrhythmias, kidney damage and even death.

CardioMEMS looks for signs that heart failure is getting worse

Healthcare providers usually use certain signs like a patient's weight and blood pressure to detect worsening heart failure, but these signs are late indicators that trouble is ahead. Waiting too long means there will not be enough time to act.

Fortunately, advances in medical technology have made it possible to help patients with heart failure much more effectively, improving patients' quality of life and significantly reducing hospital admissions. One such device is the CardioMEMS heart failure system, designed to help doctors monitor patients' heart function and adjust their medications as needed. Daily readings from the device help cardiologists proactively intervene before you develop heart failure symptoms.

Remotely Monitoring Pulmonary Artery Pressure for Individuals with Heart Failure

The CardioMEMS system is a small implantable device about the size of a quarter. It is inserted into the pulmonary artery during a minimally invasive procedure that typically takes about 30-40 minutes. Once implanted, the device measures the pulmonary artery pressure and transmits that information wirelessly to a nearby monitor.

Patients with a CardioMEMS device can track their heart function from the comfort of their homes. They simply lie on a special pillow that is equipped with sensors, and the pillow transmits the data to their doctor's office in just a few minutes. This allows doctors to detect changes in a patient’s heart function before they become severe and to adjust their medications accordingly. For example, pressure changes in blood flow within your pulmonary artery, which is responsible for moving blood from your heart to your lungs, can indicate worsening heart failure. The system is an important tool shown to be effective in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), which affects half of the patients diagnosed with heart failure, where the heart is too stiff to pump normally. This marks a big step forward for a condition that is historically a difficult type of heart failure to manage.

CardioMEMS Reduces Heart Failure Hospitalizations

One of the main benefits of the CardioMEMS device is that it can help reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure patients. In fact, studies have shown that heart failure patients who use the CardioMEMS device are significantly less likely to be hospitalized than those who do not. This is because the device allows doctors to detect changes in a patient’s heart function before they become severe and to adjust their medications accordingly. By keeping a patient’s heart function stable, doctors can help prevent the need for hospitalization and improve the overall quality of life.

Precise Monitoring and More Accurate Prescriptions

Another benefit of the CardioMEMS device is that it allows doctors to adjust medications more precisely. When doctors have access to real-time data on a patient’s heart function, they can make more informed decisions about which medications to prescribe and in what doses. This can help a patient avoid side effects from medications that are not working effectively and help them avoid the need for additional medications down the line.

Delaying the need for surgery & invasive procedures

The CardioMEMS device helps delay the need for more invasive treatments, such as a heart transplant. By helping patients manage their heart failure more effectively, the CardioMEMS device can help delay the need for a heart transplant and improve patients' overall quality of life.

Explore the CardioMEMS HF System at UC Health

At UC Health, we are proud to offer our patients the CardioMEMS heart failure system. As the first heart transplant program in Cincinnati, we have been at the forefront of advanced heart failure treatment for decades. Our team of expert cardiologists and heart failure specialists is committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care, using the latest medical technology and research to improve outcomes and quality of life.

If you or a loved one is living with heart failure, we encourage you to learn more about the CardioMEMS heart failure system and how it can help you manage your condition more effectively. With this innovative device, you can take control of your heart health and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our heart failure specialists and learn more about the benefits of the CardioMEMS device.