New Technology Helps Heart Failure Patients at Jennie Edmundson

A tiny piece of technology at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital is working to keep heart failure patients out of the hospital.

The new CardioMEMS sensor monitors patients for growing signs and symptoms of chronic heart failure by measuring pressure in the pulmonary artery in real time.

The device, which looks a little like a small butterfly, is inserted into the artery, which is close to the back of the heart, and uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to monitor changes. The sensor is powered by radio frequency energy.

Marcia Keith, the hospital's catheterization laboratory manager, describes how it works.

The Daily Nonpareil: Jennie Ed's Keith works to improve patient quality of life