CardioMEMS^TM System in the Daily Management of Heart Failure: Review of Current Data and Technique of Implantation

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) leads to significant morbidity and mortality and imposes a large economic burden. Although there have been several advances in HF monitoring and management, HF-rehospitalization remains a significant problem. Remote monitoring of HF to detect early signs of decompensation has emerged in past years as an option to prevent or reduce the incidence of HF rehospitalization. The CardioMEMS^TM HF system is a wireless pulmonary artery (PA) pressure monitoring system that detects changes in PA pressure and transmits data to the healthcare provider. Since changes in PA pressure happen early in the course of HF decompensation, the CardioMEMS^TM system allows the provider to institute timely intensification of HF therapies to alter the course. In trial and registry data, the use of the CardioMEMS^TM HF system has been associated with reduction in HF hospitalization, improvement in quality of life, symptoms, and physical activity.

Areas Covered

This review will focus on the available data supporting its utilization in patients with HF.

Expert Opinion

CardioMEMS^TM is relatively safe and cost-effective, reduces heart failure hospitalization rates, and fits into intermediate to high-value medical care.

KEYWORDS:

• Cost effectiveness
• hemodynamic monitoring
• cardiomems^TM HF system
• hf management
• hospitalization
• pulmonary artery pressure monitoring

Article highlights

• The CardioMEMS^TM HF system has been shown to decrease heart failure hospitalizations, improve quality of life and out of hospital survival.

• The CardioMEMS^TM HF system is cost-effective.

• The CardioMEMS^TM HF system implantation is safe and feasible.

• Continued evaluation of data from post marketing experience will help further refine its role in heart failure disease management programs.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

One peer reviewer is an Abbott employee in the Heart Failure Division that produces the CardioMEMS HF System and also served as an investigator on the CHAMPION Trial. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.