Cardiac patients suffering from heart failure can potentially save money on costly health care costs and face a much lower risk of requiring hospitalization, according to new research on an implantable heart monitor from Abbott Labs that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
According to research disclosed March 19 at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting, after the CardioMEMS HF System is implanted, it can cut the rate of hospitalizations by 46 percent and 34 percent during the first six and 12 months, respectively.
The latest findings were based on a study of more than 1,000 recipients of Medicare, echoing the device’s clinical trial findings. The tests proved matching medication levels to artery pressure – a parameter monitored by the CardioMEMS system – effectively improved results.
Dr. Akshay Desai leads a heart failure division at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
"Reducing heart failure hospitalizations is an important goal for patients and hospitals alike, and may help to improve long-term clinical outcomes and quality of life for our patients,” Akshay said in the press release.
One of the ways it can increase quality of life is by trimming costs associated with long-term hospital stays, up to approximately $13,000 by one calculation cited in the announcement.
Dr. Philip Adamson, who directs Abbott Lab’s heart failure division, said, "Success with this technology for us means helping patients get back to living their (lives)."
