University Hospital Galway (UHG) has become the first hospital in Ireland to introduce a new device designed to help patients suffering from heart failure to better monitor their fluid levels in the body. Galway woman, Sheila Concannon, from Spiddal, was the first patient in Ireland to be fitted with this early warning sensor which alerts medical professionals to the patient’s worsening condition.

Over 10,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed annually in Ireland. It is a significant public health priority, with patients requiring frequent hospitalisation. Patients with heart failure are commonly advised to closely monitor signs of swelling and other symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain. Despite these measures, many patients end up back in hospital within months after a heart failure hospitalisation, often due to fluid build-up in the lungs.

This new sensor directly measures the volume of fluid build-up, allowing cardiology teams to monitor patients remotely, which can help avoid unnecessary visits to hospital. The device gives clinicians access to real-time information about their patient’s heart health which in turn results in more rapid interventions.

Part of a clinical trial led by Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at UHG, the procedure, he explains is “very straightforward and is carried out as a day case operation."

"The sensor is implanted using a small catheter which is placed in a vein at the top of the leg. It is collapsed on entry so it can be pushed up into the inferior vena cava (IVC), which carries oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. The sensor is then expanded to its full size where it continuously measures the size of the IVC, which signals the amount of fluid in the body. High levels can increase the risk of breathing difficulties and can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs which in turn can lead to an emergency hospital admission.”

After surgery, patients are provided with a detection belt worn across the stomach for one to two minutes a day which powers the implanted sensor using radiofrequency energy.

Data is sent daily from the patient's home to the heart failure team in the hospital and this alerts the team to early warning signs so they can intervene before the patient’s condition worsens.

Prof Sharif continues: “Traditionally we’ve relied on a patient describing their symptoms. But by then they may have already progressed to the point of hospitalisation. Now we are getting crucial information about how the patient is doing and we can get it while they are at home. The device foretells of a fluid overload in the body 14 days before the patient has any symptoms so action can be taken to prevent the symptoms of shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, and we can therefore prevent hospital admission."

“Clinicians are alerted if readings are elevated above the thresholds. Common interventions in response to evidence of fluid build-up include review of a medication and increased dosage of diuretics to reduce fluid retention. We also have a facility for prescriptions to be emailed to the patient’s local pharmacy. Regular remote consultations with the patient can also be set up if we observe any elevation in the readings. The device encourages clinicians to adjust medications earlier and prevent complications from escalating."

 “This is another major enhancement of patient care. Our aim is to reduce hospital readmissions and hospital visits by helping our patients and clinicians monitor for early signs of fluid build-up, and intervene before a patient becomes unwell,” he concluded.

Commenting after the procedure, Sheila said that “since the implant, I haven’t had to travel to hospital as often as I used to and it takes just a couple of minutes to do my readings and saves me so much time instead of going all the way to hospital. I can’t even feel the device is there which is great. I am very thankful to Dr Sharif and his team for all their continued help and support.”

Chris Kane, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals, described the development as “yet another example of the ground-breaking innovation taking place at the hospital."

"The improvements in the patients' quality of life, the decline in hospital stays, and the increased involvement of patients in their own treatment are indicators of the trial's success. This is a great example of providing quality care in a patient’s own home environment to a level as close as possible to a hospital visit.”