HEART FAILURE
“Current methods for assessing fluid status in managing heart failure are imprecise. We don't do it well.”
David Liang, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Unmet Clinical Needs
Heart failure (HF) is the primary cause of death and the largest healthcare expense in the world.
Delayed & Imprecise Methods: Indirect methods, including physical exams, lung/heart sounds, lab tests, and medical imaging, often detect HF deterioration too late and with limited accuracy.
Invasive & Complex Devices: Existing medical devices, such as Swan-Ganz PA catheters and electronic heart implants, require complex procedures and can be uncomfortable for patients.
Unreliable Wearable Devices: Non-invasive wearable devices are not reliable for ICU & HF patients, serving more for entertainment and motivation rather than clinical decision-making.
These unmet clinical needs lead to inaccurate medication dosing, suboptimal treatment decisions, prolonged hospital stays (average 4 days) and high 30-day rehospitalization rate (23%). (Ref. 7,8,9)
Current large PA catheters require jugular vein insertion, causing discomfort for patients and increasing workload for clinicians.