A potentially life-saving medical breakthrough could treat heart failure without the patient ever having to go to a doctor’s office.
A new implantable device monitors the condition of a patient’s heart wirelessly and sends data from the patient’s bedroom to the patient’s doctor.
This new technology is being used by Dr. David Shavelle at the Keck Hospital of USC. Alfredo Delatorre is one of the first recipients of the new device.
"This will significantly improve his quality of life. It will keep him out of the hospital and it will potentially reduce visits to the clinic so he can spend more time at home with his family " Shavelle said.
Delatorre uses a special pillow that is connected to a wireless transmitter. The pillow communicates with a tiny sensor implanted inside one of his arteries, sending information about his heart health directly to a secure website. Shavelle says he simply logs in and checks on Delatorre’s condition.
"We can potentially adjust medications and intervene so they don’t have to come to the hospital," Shavelle said.
According to NBC4’s Dr. Bruce, this new technology is just one example of portable care. There are also home scales and blood pressure monitors that send information to the doctor’s office.
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The new technology doesn’t replace in-person exams, but for chronic problems, it could save time, money and lives.
