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Frequently Asked Questions: CardioMEMS HF System
Answers to common questions about living with the CardioMEMS™ HF System — from daily readings to travel and device safety.
About the CardioMEMS HF System
What is pulmonary artery pressure?
Each time blood passes through your heart, the right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs through a large blood vessel called the pulmonary artery (PA). The blood pressure of your pulmonary artery reflects the amount of force your heart is exerting to pump blood from your heart to your lungs. If your heart has to work harder to pump that blood, your PA pressure goes up.
How is heart failure progression monitored?
Heart failure progression is monitored by tracking changes in symptoms, weight, and fluid levels over time. Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring allows your care team to detect early changes in your heart failure — often before symptoms appear1 — and adjust your treatment plan proactively.
What are the signs that heart failure is getting worse?
Common signs that heart failure may be worsening include sudden weight gain, increased shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or abdomen, and fatigue. Contact your care team if you notice any of these changes.
What is remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring?
Remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring uses a small implanted sensor to wirelessly transmit pressure readings to your care team, allowing them to identify changes in your heart failure and adjust treatment before symptoms appear.1
What is the CardioMEMS HF System?
The CardioMEMS™ HF System enables earlier detection of worsening heart failure and more proactive management, helping reduce heart failure hospitalizations.1
How does the CardioMEMS HF System help a heart failure patient?
Changes in PA pressures are an early indicator of worsening heart failure. This can occur even before you notice symptoms such as shortness of breath or weight gain. The CardioMEMS HF System comes with a reader used to take daily measurements of PA pressures at home, on vacation or wherever you are. These PA pressure readings are sent wirelessly to a secure website that your care team can access. Your care team regularly reviews the information and contacts you if changes to your medications or treatment plan are necessary.
What does the CardioMEMS PA Sensor measure?
The sensor measures pulmonary artery pressure, which can indicate progression in heart failure before symptoms appear.
How long does the CardioMEMS PA Sensor last?
The PA sensor does not need a battery or replaceable parts and is designed for permanent implantation.
Who reviews my pulmonary artery pressure readings?
Your care team reviews your readings through a secure website and contacts you if changes to your treatment plan are needed.
Procedure and Recovery
How is the CardioMEMS PA Sensor implanted?
The CardioMEMS PA Sensor is inserted into the PA during a right heart catheterization procedure. The doctor will make a small incision and insert a catheter into a vein in your neck or groin. The catheter is guided through the body to the heart and into the pulmonary artery, where the sensor is placed. Once in position, the sensor remains permanently.
What is recovery like after CardioMEMS implantation?
You may experience mild discomfort at the access site, but most patients can return to normal activities soon after the procedure.
Daily Use
Will I feel the PA sensor after it is implanted?
No. The sensor is placed in the pulmonary artery and is not typically felt by patients.
How does the CardioMEMS HF System help a heart failure patient at home?
The CardioMEMS HF System comes with a reader used to take daily measurements of pulmonary artery pressure at home, on vacation or wherever you are. These readings are sent wirelessly to a secure website that your care team can access and review.
How often do I need to take a PA reading?
Your care team will provide instructions on how often to take readings, which are typically done on a regular, daily basis to monitor trends over time.
What happens if I miss a CardioMEMS reading?
If you miss a reading, take your next reading as instructed. Your care team monitors trends over time and will contact you if any changes to your heart failure treatment plan are needed.
Does it hurt to take a reading?
No, taking a reading is non-invasive and you don't feel anything during it.
Do I need to sleep on the Patient Electronics System or HERO Device?
No. You only need to lay on it for a few minutes each day to take a reading.
Safety and Compatibility
Can a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan be done with the PA Sensor?
You can have an MRI scan under certain conditions.2 Talk with the doctor ordering the MRI scan to ensure that they know that you have a CardioMEMS PA Sensor.
Will the PA Sensor interfere with a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?
No, the PA sensor will not interfere with a pacemaker or an ICD,2 even when a reading is being taken.
Will the CardioMEMS reader interfere with a pacemaker or an ICD?
It is unlikely that the reader will interfere with a pacemaker or an ICD when a reading is being taken.2
Living with the Device
Can you travel with the CardioMEMS HF System?
Yes, you can travel with the CardioMEMS HF System. The CardioMEMS HERO Device or Patient Electronics System can be packed as carry on luggage or checked luggage and does not count towards your carry on limit. The PA Sensor should not alert airport security when you pass through the security checkpoint.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my reader?
If you have questions about your CardioMEMS reader or need assistance taking readings, contact your care team or CardioMEMS Customer Service.
Support and Next Steps
How much does a CardioMEMS HF System cost?
The cost of the CardioMEMS HF System varies. Your physician and care team can work with your insurance provider to determine your coverage options and out-of-pocket costs.
What reader will I use to take my readings?
The CardioMEMS HF System includes a reader that allows you to take and transmit pulmonary artery pressure readings to your care team. New patients prescribed the CardioMEMS HF System may receive a HERO Device. If you currently use a CardioMEMS Patient Electronics System, continue using the reader provided by your care team unless instructed otherwise.
Is the procedure covered by health insurance or Medicare‡?
The procedure may be covered by health insurance or Medicare. After determining that you are a candidate, your care team can help explain your coverage options.
Where can I find out what it is like to live with the CardioMEMS HF System from people who have been implanted?
Patient ambassadors are volunteers who are ready to share their real-life experiences with heart failure and answer questions about their experiences with the CardioMEMS HF System.
Where can I go to find out more information on heart failure?
You can find more information about heart failure, including how it is managed and monitored, on our Managing Heart Failure page.
How do I find a heart failure specialist near me?
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a cardiologist or heart failure specialist. You can also use our clinic finder to locate a heart failure clinic near you.
Am I a candidate for CardioMEMS?
Your care team can determine if the CardioMEMS HF System is appropriate for your heart failure management based on your condition and medical history.
Can I replace my CardioMEMS Patient Electronics System with a CardioMEMS HERO Device?
If you currently use a CardioMEMS Patient Electronics System and are interested in transitioning to a HERO Device, speak with your doctor or care team. They can determine whether a transition is appropriate and explain the next steps.
References:
‡ Indicates a third-party trademark, which is property of its respective owner.
- Abraham WT, Stevenson L, Bourge RC, et al. Sustained efficacy of pulmonary artery pressure to guide adjustment of chronic heart failure therapy: Complete follow-up results from the CHAMPION randomized trial. The Lancet. 2016;387(10017):453-461.
- Abbott data on file.
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