Implantable Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems

Heart failure hospitalization rates remain high and these hospitalizations are associated with significant costs. Randomized controlled trials of noninvasive telemedical systems have not demonstrated a reduction in hospitalization rates. However, using direct measurements of intracardiac and pulmonary artery pressures to guide heart failure management has been shown to reduce hospitalizations. A large pivotal randomized trial (CHAMPION) demonstrated that heart failure management based on measurements from a direct pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system (CardioMEMS) significantly reduced heart failure hospitalizations. Other platforms utilizing direct hemodynamic monitoring are under development or have ongoing clinical trials. This chapter reviews implantable hemodynamic monitoring systems, specifically the CardioMEMS HF system.