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Heart Failure Monitor Implantation

Heart Failure Monitor Implantation is a procedure that involves a right heart catheterization, pulmonary artery angiogram and implantation of a pressure monitor to help manage heart failure. A thin, hollow tube called a catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart. This is inserted through your groin. Contrast dye is then injected through the catheter to evaluate the pulmonary arteries for placement of the monitor and then the monitor is placed into a pulmonary artery branch vessel.

Preparing For Your Procedure

  • You may have clear liquids (any fluid which is transparent, such as water, apple/cranberry/grape juice, black coffee or tea) until you leave for the hospital.
    • NO dairy products, including cream, or non-transparent fluids, such as orange/tomato juice.
    • NO solids after midnight the night before.
  • Please shower with soap and water prior to your procedure.
    • Do not use creams, lotions or oils.
    • Deodorant is acceptable.
  • If you wear glasses or hearing aids, please wear them that day.
    • Please leave all other valuable at home such as money, watches, and jewelry.
  • Arrive on time and bring your insurance card (please contact your insurance providers for coverage details).
  • Please make arrangements for someone 18 years or older to be with you during your stay and to drive you home.
    • Depending on your procedure you may be discharged the same day or stay overnight to be discharged the following day.

Can I Take Medications?

  • Please bring home medications in original bottles the morning of your procedure, including insulin.

    • Do NOT take the day of your monitor: Insulin, or oral diabetic medications.

      • Hold the night before: any long acting Insulin medications

    • Do NOT take 2 days prior to your monitor: Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis and Savaysa, Metformin or any medication that contains Metformin.

    • Do NOT take 5 days prior to your monitor: Coumadin, Warfarin, Jantoven, Brilinta, Effient, Plavix and Aspirin (if you have had a stent placed in your heart in the last 12 months or if you have a mechanical heart valve your instructions may be different).

What Can I Expect?

  • Usually you will be awake during the monitor implantation but given medications to help you relax and manage any pain or discomfort you may have.

  • You may be admitted to the hospital, please plan accordingly with an overnight bag.

  • You will be sent home on an antiplatelet medication plus aspirin.

    • It is important that these medications are taken without stopping for at least 1 month after your monitor, or until your cardiologist tells you otherwise.

What Will My Recovery Be Like?

  • Your activity may be restricted after your monitor implantation.

    • For groin approach: no strenuous activity for 5 days, no lifting over 10 pounds for 5 days, no driving for 2 days.

  • If you will need a return to work slip please ask for this prior to discharge

If you have questions or concerns about preparing for this test, call your the Heart Failure Clinic, (989) 794-5200.