NICE says paperclip-sized sensor could help thousands monitor heart condition from home
A wireless sensor the size of a paperclip could transform care for people living with chronic heart failure, enabling them to monitor their condition daily from home and catch warning signs before they become emergencies, NICE has said.
The CardioMEMS HF System, developed by healthcare company Abbott and recommended today in final guidance, is implanted in an artery between the heart and lung during a minimally invasive procedure.
Once in place, patients take daily pressure readings by lying on a special pillow and pressing a button. The readings are sent wirelessly to their healthcare team, who can spot early warning signs and adjust medication before symptoms become serious, potentially avoiding emergency hospital visits.
Heart failure affects around 920,000 people in the UK and accounts for approximately 1 million hospital bed days each year which is equivalent to 2% of all NHS inpatient stays in England. The condition costs the NHS around £2 billion annually, with many costs related to hospital admissions.
The technology is recommended for adults with chronic heart failure who have been hospitalised for heart failure and are at risk of further admission.
Evidence from three randomised controlled trials showed that CardioMEMS was associated with a 34% reduction in heart failure hospitalisations compared with usual care.
This technology offers a real opportunity to improve care for people living with chronic heart failure. By enabling early detection of problems and timely medication adjustments, it has the potential to reduce emergency hospital admissions and help people manage their condition more effectively from the comfort of their own home.
Dr Chalkidou added: "For patients and their families, this means fewer frightening trips to A&E and more time living their lives. For the NHS, it represents an innovative approach to managing a condition that places significant demands on hospital resources."
The guidance supports the government's 10 Year Health Plan commitment to harness transformative technologies that shift care closer to home and reduce pressure on hospitals.
Living with heart failure can be incredibly frightening, particularly when you don’t know what’s happening inside your body from day to day. Since having the CardioMEMS device fitted, I feel much safer and far more in control.
Mr Birkenhead added: “The monitoring allows issues to be picked up early, before they escalate into emergency hospital visits. It’s difficult to put into words how grateful I am for this technology – it’s given me peace of mind and helped keep me out of hospital.”