Tracking Heart Failure: MMC Implants First CardioMEMS Device
January 10, 2025
Remotely monitoring the heart health of patients for life? It’s a reality at MMC.
Interventional Cardiologist Udit Bhatnagar, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and our Cath Lab team today implanted our first CardioMEMS device as part of our journey toward a comprehensive heart failure program and our commitment to providing advanced heart care close to home. This cutting-edge system allows doctors to closely monitor patients with heart failure without their leaving home. Heart failure is a widespread condition affecting 6.2 million adults in the United States.
This minimally invasive procedure takes only 30-45 minutes, with most patients going home from the hospital the same day. During the procedure, a small sensor – about the size of a dime – is implanted in your pulmonary artery. The sensor then measures and records your pulmonary artery pressure, and that information is remotely transmitted to your cardiologist.
Changes in these daily readings can indicate worsening heart failure. With that early alert, your care team can intervene by adjusting your medications or making other treatment changes before you experience new or worsening symptoms.