New sensor could cut hospital trips for heart failure

Estela Villanueva-Whitman, Special to the Register 11:04 p.m. CST March 1, 2015

This illustration shows the CardioMEMS HF sensor system implanted in the pulmonary artery.(Photo: Special to the Register)

Complications from congestive heart failure landed Everett Fensterman in the hospital a few times over the past year. In February, he was one of the first patients at UnityPoint Clinic Cardiology to receive a new wireless sensor aimed to better manage heart failure and possibly prevent future hospitalizations.

Fensterman, who already had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to increase the pumping mechanism of the heart, said his heart was only pumping at 15 percent at one point. His new monitoring system allows him to send medical information from home.

I just lie on a pillow for 20 seconds and it sends it to the office. I do it once a day, he said.

Cardiologist Dr. Prasad Palakurthy implanted the CardioMEMS HF system into Fenstermans pulmonary artery to directly measure and record pressure there. Increased pulmonary artery pressure appears before weight and blood pressure changes, which may signal worsening heart failure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the device in May 2014.

UnityPoint Clinic Cardiology is piloting the program with three patients. If the program proves successful, the sensors will be offered to more patients who meet criteria.

Fensterman said that everything was going well and that he hasnt needed any medication adjustments since the system was implanted at Iowa Lutheran Hospital on Feb. 9. He cant feel the device, but said it does provide a sense of security for him.

Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the bodys demands. The majority of patients experience significant damage to the heart because of a previous heart attack or diseases that affect the heart muscles, Palakurthy said.

Heart failure is also one of the most common reasons for hospitalization. UnityPoint was reviewing ways to prevent readmissions, with the federal government cutting reimbursements when it sees excessive return visits. The sensor is another tool to closely follow heart failure patients before they begin showing symptoms, Palakurthy said. A clinical trial using the new device showed it reduced heart failure admissions by up to 37 percent.

Originally posted here:
New sensor could cut hospital trips for heart failure