Keith Boettiger, VP of Abbott’s heart failure business, posted the update on LinkedIn. He said CMS granted a new national coverage determination for CardioMEMS.
“This decision is a massive step forward toward increasing access to CardioMEMS to millions of heart failure patients,” Boettiger said.
Remote monitoring technologies like the Abbott CardioMEMS sensor enable better management of heart failure. The CardioMEMS sensor’s design enables it to help people and their physicians proactively manage heart failure. It also helps to potentially prevent events that could lead to hospitalization.
CardioMEMS is implanted into the pulmonary artery via a minimally invasive procedure. The paperclip-sized sensor wirelessly transmits data about heart rates and pressures to the patient’s physicians. This continuous data stream aids in adjusting treatment plans and keeping hospital admissions at bay.
CMS’ decision says the coverage focuses on the clinical indications for implantable pressure sensors for heart failure management. Boettiger said the decision represents a “testament to the work Abbott has done for years” to develop pulmonary pressure monitoring technology.
“CardioMEMS has been shown to improve quality of life while reducing re-hospitalization and mortality for NYHA class II and III heart failure patients, and we’re thrilled that as of today, more patients than ever before will have access to this critical device,” he wrote. “We’re grateful to the clinical providers, patients and advocates who have been alongside us on this journey. Our work isn’t done – there are still far too many patients who lack coverage for CardioMEMS – but this is a critical step toward helping more people living with heart failure survive and thrive.”
