CardioMEMS Utilization in Pediatric Heart Failure: A Single Center Experience.

CardioMEMS is an innovative device that offers the ability to monitor pulmonary artery pressures remotely. This provides a less invasive way to monitor hemodynamic changes and allow for earlier intervention with the aim of reducing heart failure complications and need for cardiac catheterization. However, the use of CardioMEMS in pediatric heart failure is limited. We performed a retrospective review of all patients presenting for CardioMEMS placement in our center. Safety outcomes were based on cases of device embolization and tissue injury. Effectiveness outcomes included ability to reliably obtain pressure readings remotely. Overall, 20 pediatric patients presented to the catheterization lab. 18 patients had successful implantation with a CardioMEMS device in our center, with median age of 14.3 years (14-18.5) and median weight at implant of 57.6 kg (40.3-63). The smallest implanted patient was 28 kg. In those implanted there was no clinical evidence of device embolization, thrombosis, nor pulmonary artery injury during, or after, implant. Overall, there were minimal issues obtaining remote readings however, one patient with Fontan circulation was unable to reliably obtain readings post-placement. There is a significant decrease in reading frequency further out from implant. In the largest description to date of CardioMEMS usage in pediatric patients, we demonstrate that the CardioMEMS device can be a safe and effective tool in the management of pediatric heart failure with more data needed to further optimize the use of CardioMEMS in pediatric patients.