Case report on ambulatory pulmonary pressure monitoring: an attempt to reduce readmissions for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: Despite many recent advances in heart failure (HF) therapies, there remains an unmet need in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) for adequate treatment and follow-up, with the potential to reduce associated mortality and morbidity. Increased intracardiac and intrapulmonary pressures have been shown to precede the onset of symptoms of decompensated HF by several days or even weeks, so there have been several attempts to influence the prognosis of HF by monitoring through various methods. One of these is ambulatory pulmonary pressure monitoring to guide treatment in anticipation of decompensation. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with rheumatic valve disease and mechanical aortic and mitral prosthesis since 2003 and pacemaker since 2014, with development of severe tricuspid regurgitation in 2018 and with new valve implantation and multiple decompensations of HFpEF despite optimal medical treatment. Under follow-up in the Heart Failure Unit and after multiple unsuccessful treatment adjustments, it was decided to implant a pulmonary artery pressure monitoring device—CardioMEMS®—in order to optimize patient follow-up and treatment. The procedure was carried out without complications and early optimization of treatment was possible, resulting in a significant reduction in decompensations and admissions for HF. DISCUSSION: Ambulatory pulmonary pressure monitoring is shown to be a safe and effective option to anticipate treatment of heart failure decompensation even with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, with a significantly positive impact on hospital readmissions and consequent benefit on morbidity and mortality.