Remote Monitoring for Chronic Heart Failure

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a cardiovascular condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively throughout the body. It usually happens because the heart is too stiff or too weak. Heart failure is most commonly caused by high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, or cardiomyopathy. It can also be caused by other conditions such as congenital heart conditions, heart valve disease, abnormal heart rhythms, or endocarditis (an infection that affects the heart).

Lifestyle factors, such as a poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include breathlessness, fatigue and fluid retention, which leads to swelling in the ankles, legs, feet, or abdomen.

Chronic heart failure is a long-term type of heart failure that develops gradually and requires ongoing management.

What is remote monitoring for heart failure?

Remote monitoring for heart failure is a way of tracking the health of your heart from home. Devices send data wirelessly to your healthcare team, so they can detect early signs of worsening heart failure and intervene before symptoms become severe enough to require hospital treatment.

Remote monitoring tools range from everyday devices, such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters, which can send readings via an app, to implantable cardiac electronic devices, such as certain pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), which continuously monitor heart rhythm. Some devices can also provide information that may help detect fluid buildup associated with worsening heart failure.

For patients with chronic heart failure, specialized sensors such as the CardioMEMS™ system can be implanted permanently to measure pressure within the pulmonary artery and allows your healthcare team to identify changes in pressure.

What does a CardioMEMS™ device do?

The pressure in your pulmonary artery can change before you notice any symptoms of heart failure. A CardioMEMS™ sensor can detect these changes and send pressure readings to your healthcare team. This allows them to intervene immediately and make personalized changes to your medications and lifestyle recommendations, before symptoms affect your health and daily life.

By monitoring the pressure within the pulmonary artery and allowing treatment to be adjusted to keep pressure lower, the risk of developing new symptoms and being hospitalized are reduced.

How is a CardioMEMS™ device fitted?

The CardioMEMS™ pulmonary artery sensor is a small, wireless device that has a thin loop at each end. Implantation is performed while you are awake so that you can follow instructions. You will be given local anesthesia and a mild sedative. A small incision is made in your thigh and a catheter is inserted into a vein. Using a type of X-ray called a fluoroscopy, the catheter is guided to your heart and into the pulmonary artery. Once in place, the sensor is released.

After the procedure, you may be asked to rest to prevent any bleeding. Mild discomfort may be experienced, but patients typically return to normal activities soon after the procedure. You will be given instructions on when you can return to exercise. You will also be given training on how to take readings from the system.

What are the benefits of a CardioMEMS™ device?

The benefits of a CardioMEMS™ device include:

• Earlier detection: The system allows your care team to detect changes in pulmonary pressure, which may be an indication of worsening heart failure, before noticeable symptoms are experienced.
• Reduced hospitalizations: By detecting the signs of worsening heart failure early and allowing your care team to make medication and lifestyle adjustments, hospital admissions may be reduced.
• Personalized care: With access to data, your care team can make more informed decisions about medications and lifestyle modifications that will benefit you.
• Improved quality of life: Monitoring pulmonary artery pressure and adjusting treatment accordingly may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Who can receive a CardioMEMS™ device?

Not everyone with heart failure is a candidate for a remote monitoring device like CardioMEMS™. It is typically offered to selected patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure who remain at risk of worsening heart failure despite appropriate medical treatment. Your cardiologist will determine whether CardioMEMS is appropriate for you.