Understanding adherence to the CardioMEMS pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system for heart failure: A qualitative study

Background: The CardioMEMS HF system is a remote monitoring device that allows patients to transmit pulmonary artery pressure readings to providers, who are alerted when pressures increase above the patient's normal threshold. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of patient adherence to the CardioMEMS system and to compare patients' self-reported use of the system with actual adherence. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients who had a CardioMEMS device. Transcripts were analyzed using a combination of structural and process coding. Results: Patients engaged with the CardioMEMS system in a reciprocal manner, continually learning from the feedback provided by the system. Self-concept influenced the way that patients adhere. Conclusions: Patients experience many benefits of the CardioMEMS system; however, it is not clear that these perceived or real benefits affect how a person adheres. Rather, our findings suggest that a person's self-concept may be a better predictor of adherence to telemonitoring systems. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.