Telemedical Monitoring Based on Implantable Devices—the Evolution Beyond the CardioMEMS™ Technology

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: We aimed to provide an overview of telemedical monitoring and its impact on outcomes among heart failure (HF) patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Most HF readmissions may be prevented if clinical parameters are strictly controlled via telemedical monitoring. Predictive algorithms for patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (e.g., Triage-HF Plus by Medtronic or HeartLogic by Boston Scientific) were developed to identify patients at significantly increased risk of HF events. However, randomized control trial-based data are heterogeneous regarding the advantages of telemedical monitoring in HF patients. The likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes increases when pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) rises, usually days to weeks before clinical manifestations of HF. A wireless monitoring system (CardioMEMS™) detecting changes in PAP was proposed for HF patients. CardioMEMS™ transmits data to the healthcare provider and allows to institute timely intensification of HF therapies. CardioMEMS™-guided pharmacotherapy reduced a risk of HF-related hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0–0.85; p < 0.01). SUMMARY: Relevant developments and innovations of telemedical care may improve clinical outcomes among HF patients. The use of CardioMEMS™ was found to be safe and cost-effective by reducing the rates of HF hospitalizations.