First Irish patient implanted with heart failure monitor from Fire1
Dublin-based Fire1 today announced that the first Irish patient has been successfully implanted with its system for remote heart failure monitoring at University Hospital Galway. The procedure is part of a first in-human clinical investigation of the Fire1 System in heart failure patients.
The study will assess the efficacy of Fire1’s solution to improve outcomes for those living with heart failure.
Fluid overload is a classic clinical feature of heart failure, which affects approximately 90,000 Irish people and is a leading cause of hospitalisations, including high admission and re-admissions rates in Ireland.
The Fire1 sensor is implanted into the body’s largest vein, located in the abdomen, known as the inferior vena cava (IVC) and works by continuously measuring the size of the IVC, giving a marker of the amount of fluid in the body. High levels can increase the risk of breathing difficulties and a build-up in the lungs which leads to emergency hospital admission.
The patient wears a belt reader device around the abdomen for around a minute a day to take a reading from the implant – the data from which is sent to the patient’s clinical team at the hospital.
Fire1 CEO and president, Conor Hanley (pictured), said: “This represents a true clinical research success for Ireland, being one of the first systems of its nature to be developed, manufactured and now to be in a clinical trial in Ireland. It showcases Ireland’s capability for groundbreaking medical innovation with the potential to change healthcare delivery globally.
“The Fire1 team is steadfast in our mission to help millions of people around the world living with heart failure to get their normal lives back, but it is very special to be able to give access to people here at home. It is gratifying to see the physician interest in our novel technology.”
Professor of Interventional Cardiology and Translational Medicine at University Hospital Galway (UHG), Prof Faisal Sharif performed the implant.
“The procedure was very straightforward, minimally invasive and the patient was confident using the Fire1 system and taking the readings,” he said. “The data we will get from this patient will give a new window into heart failure management and has the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of this patient’s condition, and to enable proactive changes in medications that will keep them healthy and at home. We hope to implant further patients at UHG while recruitment is still active.”
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