Dime-Sized CardioMEMS HF Device

Measures and Records patient’s Pulmonary Artery Pressure

Heart failure can’t be cured in most people although there is hopeful new technologies that are allowing people with advanced heart failure to enjoy a better quality of life with a monitor advanced heart failure implant. The device measures and records a patient’s pulmonary artery (PA) pressure. Changes in PA pressure can be a sign that heart failure is progressing, since more pressure in the lungs often signals that the heart is becoming weaker or pumping less effectively.

By the time a person reaches stage 4 heart failure, everyday activities typically cause fatigue and breathing distress. Patients often go to the hospital when they’re experiencing a noticeable increase in symptoms. Those changes are a sign that their heart has already sustained new or worsening damage. This is where CardioMEMS heart failure system comes into play.

At Home Monitoring

CardioMEMS Lowers Heart Failure Hospitalizations

CardioMEMS is a remote monitoring system. It collects information about a patient’s pulmonary artery pressure each day at home. The information is then securely transmitted to the patient’s cardiologist, where it’s reviewed regularly.

Closely monitoring changes in a patient’s PA helps doctors understand whether their current therapy is working or if adjustments are needed. This early intervention means that their symptoms are less likely to progress, minimizing their need to be treated in the hospital.

The CardioMEMS sensor is implanted during a minimally invasive procedure

Monitoring Advanced Heart Failure Implant is an Intervention for Stage 4 Heart Failure

The CardioMEMS HF System is a paperclip-sized sensor with a thin, curved wire at each end. The cardiologist will implant the device in a patient’s pulmonary artery using a catheter, a small flexible tube inserted through the femoral vein located in the groin. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, and the patient can be given a mild sedative beforehand, but remains awake.

Once they’re home, patients simply lie on a special pillow for a few minutes to take a daily PA pressure measurement from the sensor, and that measurement is sent directly to the cardiologist’s office.

CardioMEMS won’t get in the way of your daily activities, you won’t even notice it’s there. CardioMEMS is a wireless sensor and doesn’t require batteries. The PA pressure measurements are quick and easy to do and only take a few seconds. Advanced heart failure teams will teach patients how to use the device to take readings from the sensor.

The CardioMEMS HF System helps many patients with heart failure live longer, healthier lives. The reduced risk of hospitalization is a major benefit of the CardioMEMS device.

Improve Quality of Life, Preventing Worsening Heart Failure

As telemedicine becomes more common, the CardioMEMS Heart Failure System is a safe, reliable way to help patients manage their heart failure.

The CardioMEMS HF System offers real-time notification of patient changes and simple, convenient access to secure data for proactive, personalized patient management. It also provides patients with a heightened awareness of the factors affecting their health and a powerful sense of control.

CardioMEMS Heart Failure System

This is the Fastest Growing Technology to Manage Heart Failure (HFrEF and HFpEF)

Traditionally, clinicians have focused on physiological markers (patient weight, blood pressure, etc.) to detect worsening heart failure. Unfortunately, these markers appear late in the time course of decompensation. Relying on them leaves little time to respond before hospitalization is necessary.

CardioMEMS HF System Device

The ability to individually set patient thresholds allows physicians to personalize and optimize care and medical management for each patient. It also allows for Intervention 3 days before heart failure complications, saving lives and enabling better quality of life.

Questions About CardioMEMS HF System

What is CardioMEMS? CardioMEM is a New Option for Monitoring Heart Failure Directly measuring pulmonary artery pressure (PA) pressure via a procedure called a right-heart catheterization is a standard practice for managing worsening heart failure in patients who have been hospitalized.

What is CardioMEMS HF technology? As a breakthrough, first in-kind technology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted the CardioMEMS HF System new technology payments for the inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. These payments recognized the CardioMEMS HF System as a substantial clinical improvement over previous standard of care.

How does the CardioMEMS sensor work? The sensor is powered by radio frequency (RF) energy. Data from a clinical trial showed the CardioMEMS technology reduces heart failure hospital admissions by up to 37 percent.

How does the Cardiomems patient app work? Once a patient is implanted with the CardioMEMS HF System, they may opt to stay engaged in their care by using the CardioMEMS patient app. Caregivers can also create an account on the app, to provide visibility to how often readings are being uploaded and the messages being sent from the care team

4 stages of heart failure:

What are the stages of heart failure? Heart failure is a chronic long-term condition that gets worse with time. There are 4 stages of heart failure (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure,” and provide treatment plans.

These 4 stages of Heart Failure were created by the Amercian Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, given letter titles A, B, C, D, each stage has different recommended treatments.

Stage A

Stage A is known as “pre heart failure”. In this stage, the person doesn’t actually have full blown heart failure but has a higher risk of developing heart failure. These risks include having high blood pressure (hypertension), a family history of cardiomyopathy, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), excessive alcohol abuse, and rhumatic fever and more. In this stage, the heart structure is generally healthy.

Treatment in stage A mostly involves preventative maintenance. Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and not smoking are a few things to help prevent heart failure from progressing. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, staying compliant with medications can help keep heart failure at bay.

Stage B

Like stage A, this stage is also often referred to as “pre heart failure.” What’s different about stage B is that the heart has been diagnosed with some structural problems such as reduced pumping efficiency. In this stage, the person will also not have any of the typical heart failure symptoms as in the more advanced stages. The majority of people in stage B heart failure have an ejection fraction of 40% or less.

Treatment for stage B includes the same things as in stage A with more added to the regimen. Certain medications such as beta-blockers are often started at this stage. Depending on the severity, the need for certain surgical procedures to correct coronary artery blockage or replace a heart valve may also performed.

Stage C

Stage C is where heart failure has begun to cause symptoms that result from the weakening of the left ventricle. This is also the stage where symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath are a common occurrence. Swelling in the extremities, specifically the legs and feet, may also occur during stage C.

The treatment for stage C includes both things mentioned above in stages A and B as well as adding in a few other options. Diuretics (water pills) can help remove excess fluid that can be building up as a result of the weakening of the heart. Restricting salt and fluid intake if recommended by your doctor can also help reduce symptoms. Monitor weight and watch for signs of fluid buildup.

Stage D

Stage D is the most severe of the heart failure stages. In this stage, the heart has advanced structural disease and may not respond to treatment. People in stage D will have significant symptoms even at rest which can cause severe limitations

Treatment options are limited in this stage and include continuous infusion of medicine via IV, heart transplant, ventricular assist devices, and palliative/hospice care. Generally, when a person is in stage D heart failure they are unable to be discharged from the hospital due to the severity.

If your doctor has diagnosed you with heart failure or suspected heart failure, discuss which stage they think you’re in and what treatment options they recommend. As always, be sure to talk with your doctor before making any kind of diet modifications that could affect your heart.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave hem below. Also, if you’d like to read more on Atrial Fibrilation go to my other site at https://shers-shop-site.com/

Wishing You Well, Sherry