The CardioMEMS HF System, developed by healthcare company Abbott and recommended in final guidance, is implanted in an artery between the heart and lung during a minimally invasive procedure.

Once in place, patients take daily pressure readings by lying on a special pillow and pressing a button. The readings are sent wirelessly to their healthcare team, who can spot early warning signs and adjust medication before symptoms become serious, potentially avoiding emergency hospital visits.

Heart failure affects around 920,000 people in the UK and accounts for approximately 1 million hospital bed days each year, which is equivalent to 2% of all NHS inpatient stays in England. The condition costs the NHS around £2bn annually, with many costs related to hospital admissions.

The technology is recommended for adults with chronic heart failure who have been hospitalised for heart failure and are at risk of further admission.

Evidence from three randomised controlled trials showed that CardioMEMS was associated with a 34% reduction in heart failure hospitalisations compared with usual care.

Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, healthtech programme director at NICE, said: ‘This technology offers a real opportunity to improve care for people living with chronic heart failure. By enabling early detection of problems and timely medication adjustments, it has the potential to reduce emergency hospital admissions and help people manage their condition more effectively from the comfort of their own home.

‘For patients and their families, this means fewer frightening trips to A&E and more time living their lives. For the NHS, it represents an innovative approach to managing a condition that places significant demands on hospital resources.'

The guidance supports the government's 10-Year Health Plan commitment to harness transformative technologies that shift care closer to home and reduce pressure on hospitals.