My CardioMEMS

Placing the CardioMEMS sensor

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My CardioMEMS

(This post was posted on my blog on April 22, 2026) My CardioMEMS update. How things went. Well, I can say that it was done. On April 21, 2026, at 7:45 am, I had to report to the hospital.

Once there, I had an intake interview. It was like the last time I was there to change the CRT-D. The one behind the desk was the same person as last time. Also, the person who took the intake was the same person. We went through all the details quickly. Once that was done, she did an INR check to make sure my blood was not too thin. The number should be between 2.0 and 3.0

I was a little nervous about that. Because the Friday before that, it was 3.3, and that was too high. On Monday, it was 2.4, and on Tuesday it was 2.3, so that was okay. She told me that the time should be 8:30–8:45 when they would start the procedure. And that I would be brought to the operating room in bed. She also mentioned that the procedure would be done via the groin. I was surprised because I thought they wanted to do it through the wrist and neck. But okay, we would see what the plan would be.

And at 8:45 am, I was on the operating table. The nurse told me that, indeed, it would be done via the groin. Okay. I had that way done two times. One time in 2005 and again in 2013. So I knew a little bit what it would be. The whole procedure would take around 1.5 hours for the operation and 3 to 4 hours before I could go home.

And indeed, at around 10:00 am, I was back in the room again. The whole procedure was done under local anesthesia. This is so they can talk to you when needed, and you can tell them if something doesn’t feel right. But things went okay. The placement of the sensor in the heart is a bit strange if you think about it. The sensor itself is maybe as long as 4cm, and that is including some kind of loops or maybe antennas at both ends. The sensor is placed in a lung vein. I didn’t feel a thing from it. When it was placed, they had some kind of table tennis bat that they placed under you, so they could check if they could get a signal from the sensor and calibrate it. That part also went okay.

When that was all okay, they removed everything and closed the entry with stitches. After that, I was brought back to the room. I was not allowed to move for the first two hours. I also was not allowed to raise or lift my head. I was only allowed to move my left leg, because the wound was on the right side, and my arms. And only move my head to the left or right. The first hour is okay, but the second hour is the hardest one. You really want to move or change position, but you were not allowed to put pressure on your left groin. I was also allowed to eat and drink. Because from 23:59 the day before until after the procedure, I was not allowed to drink or eat anything, and when you lie flat, it is not easy to drink or eat, but I managed.

After the first two hours, they raised the head part a bit, so you are sort of getting upright a little. They checked the wound several times to make sure everything was okay.

In the third hour, a nurse from home monitoring and from the company from the CardioMEMS came by. They wanted to give me the cushion and explain how to operate it. (See the image for the cushion)

It is very easy to operate. We tried it two times, so I knew how I had to do it myself, at home. It was delivered in a rolling suitcase, like the one you will use when you travel. Just in case you travel, you can bring it with you. It is using the 4G network to transmit the collected data to the hospital. Everything worked. After the last wound check, I was allowed to get dressed, with help, and go home. I think around 15:30–16:00 we were home again. Tired and a bit painful.

That night, sleeping was not easy because I was not allowed to sleep on the right side, for now. But because it was a long, tiring day, I was knockout quick.

The next day, I had to try the cushion myself for the first time, at home. Things went well. No problems with starting it up, collecting the data, and sending it. For over three days, I have had a telephone appointment. I think it is to check if everything is okay and to see if it is working the way it should.

The person from the company of CardioMEMS told me that I was number 12 among the users. The advantage of this is that, already two to three weeks before things could go wrong, they can see it in the data. This prevents you from needing to be admitted to the hospital, and they can tell you on the same day if you need to change some medication. So it can prevent multiple hospital visits.

Still, it is a strange thought that now I have a small sensor near or in my heart, which can help me better manage my heart failure. Maybe it’s the same as with my pacemaker when I got the first one. It is strange, but now it is a part of me, and I don’t know any better. I think that with that sensor, it will be the same. Maybe in time, I will forget all about it and only remember it every morning when I lie down on the cushion. It is now part of my morning routine.

I am still waiting for the results of UMC Utrecht regarding a possible heart transplant. My case was talked about on April 7, but I already know that it can take maybe a few weeks before everything is clear. So, the only thing I can do is just wait.

Anyway, as always, please be safe and take care. God Bless.

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About my posts. My posts are personal. It is about things I experience in my daily life. It can be about simple things, or about troubles that are going on.

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