CardioMEMS Device Implantation Reduces Repeat Hospitalizations In A Veterans Affairs Patient Population: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Introduction Little is known about the use of a wireless pulmonary artery pressure monitoring device, CardioMEMS, in the Veteran's Affair (VA) patient population. We report our results of the effectiveness of this wireless device in reducing heart failure re-admissions in the largest known VA patient cohort. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients with heart failure-related admissions pre- and post-implantation of their CardioMEMS device. Results A total of 63 patients (93% male, 44% Caucasian and 54% HFrEF), with NYHA Class 3 HF were followed for 12 months. At device implantation, average pulmonary artery systolic/ diastolic /mean pressures were 51/24/34 mgHg while at 6 months were 45/22/31 mmHg and 12 months were 43/21/29 mmHg. The total number of heart failure hospital admissions for patients who were followed for 12 months prior to device implantation was 130, while the total number for the post-implantation period was 57. Post implant patients had 0.47 times the rate of heart failure hospitalizations compared to pre-implant patient (95% CI: 0.31, 0.70; p-value Conclusion In the largest patient population at a VA real-world setting, the implantation of a CardioMEMS results in decreased pulmonary artery pressures and decreased heart failure re-admissions. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.