Matthew Cauchi, D.O., discusses CardioMEMS™ device implants that are placed into the pulmonary artery to provide remote transmission of intra-cardiac pressures that assist in determining a patient's volume status. Learn more about this minimally invasive procedure and how it allows for early intervention before the development of typical heart failure symptoms.
Yeah. Yeah. My name is Matthew Kawachi um an interventional cardiologist here at Sentara are mh cardio memes is the only FDA approved remote monitoring device for the management of patients with certain types of heart failure. The cardio mm system is essentially broken up into two parts. The first part is a small implantable sensor no bigger than the size of a paper clip that's inserted into the heart and placed in one of the pulmonary arteries of the arteries that travel out to the lungs from the right side of the heart. This allows us to monitor the pressures inside patients hearts and lungs to be more proactive when it comes to their management of heart failure, trying to keep them out of the hospital and keeping them symptom free. The second part of the cardamom system involves a pillow or sensor that patients lie on every single day that allows for transmission of those pressures back to their cardiologist. The cardio memes procedures performed as the same day procedure because it's minimally invasive and performed in a very similar fashion to a heart catheterization. Our patients are typically awake throughout the entire procedure. After the procedure, we observe them for a few hours in our recovery area and then they head home, candidates for the cardio memes device include patients that have all types of heart failure but specifically those who experience symptoms with minimal exertion. This includes patients who have shortness of breath when doing their regular daily activities including walking around their home or putting on their clothes or doing regular house work. This therapy has also not limited to individuals who have reduced heart function. It has also been expanded to the use of individuals who have normal heart function but experienced symptoms of heart failure, which is actually incredibly common to see. Additionally, Sentara RM. H's investment in cardio memes technology demonstrates its commitment to improving heart health across the entire Shenandoah Valley. Yeah. Mm.