The technology is first brought into use at the Keck Medicine of USC, Southern California by Dr. David Shavelle post FDA approval. The device not only keeps the patient out of hospital but helps to improve quality of life by reducing the readmissions to hospital.
The new implantable device is designed to monitor and send data of a patient’s heart condition wirelessly to the doctor.
This is done by the use of a special pillow by the patient connected to a wireless transmitter.
A tiny sensor is implanted inside one of the patient’s arteries with which the pillow communicates sending information about the heart to a secure website via which the doctor monitors the condition.
The sensor tracks PA pressure through short, daily readings that the patient conducts using a special pillow with an antenna.
CardioMEMS Heart Failure System made by St. Jude Medical is powered by radiofrequency energy; implanted with minimally invasive surgery.
Clinical trials conducted prior to FDA approval demonstrated a 30 percent reduction in hospital readmissions.
Before the device was invented, the medication changes were made based on patient’s symptoms and changes in their weight; and the changes in pressures within the heart occur prior to the onset of symptoms in patients.
Now with the CardioMEMS device, the access to pressure data in real time is available allowing doctors to respond and adjust treatment much faster.