Left Atrial Pressure Monitoring With an Implantable Wireless Pressure Sensor After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Laila Hubbert, Jacek Baranowski, Baz Delshad, Henrik Ahn

Following implantation of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), left atrial pressure (LAP) monitoring allows for precise management of intravascular volume, inotropic therapy and pump speed. In this case series of 4 LVAD recipients we report the first clinical use of this wireless pressure sensor for long-term monitoring of LAP during LVAD support. A wireless microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor, (Titan™, ISS Inc., Ypsilanti, MI, USA) was placed in the left atrium in four patients at the time of LVAD implantation. Titan sensor LAP was measured in all 4 patients on the ICU and in 3 patients at home. Ramped speed tests were performed using LAP and echocardiography in 3 patients. The left ventricular end diastolic diameter (cm), flow (L/min), power consumption (W) and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured at each step.Measurements were performed over 36, 84, 137, and 180 days, respectively. The three discharged patients had equipment at home and were able to perform daily recordings. There were significant correlations between sensor pressure and pump speed, LV and LA size and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, respectively (r= 0.92-0.99, p < 0.05). There was no device failure and there were no adverse consequences of its use.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.