Abbott Will Update CardioMEMS Software

The heart failure monitoring system will soon allow patients to track pressure trends via a smartphone app.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Heart Disease

Isometric editorial illustration of a sculptural medical monitoring node, rendered in muted teal and oxblood, symbolizing health data tracking. — Abbott will update its CardioMEMS heart failure system in 2026, allowing patients to track pulmonary artery pressure trends via a smartphone application. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Abbott plans to release software updates for its CardioMEMS heart failure monitoring system later in 2026. The move will enable patients to view their pulmonary artery pressure trends through a dedicated smartphone application.

Why it matters

Heart failure conditions can often progress significantly before patients begin to experience noticeable physical symptoms. Monitoring pulmonary artery pressure allows clinicians to adjust treatment plans proactively rather than reactively.

The CardioMEMS system utilizes a wireless sensor implanted in the pulmonary artery to report pressure changes. Connectivity is supported by the Hero external data recorder, which utilizes both Wi-Fi and cellular networks to transmit readings.

The players

Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare company that develops medical devices, diagnostics, and branded generic medicines.

The details

Patients will use the CardioGuide HF smartphone app to observe their own pressure data, an evolution from the previous model where clinicians performed remote monitoring to guide treatment. This software expansion follows the June 2026 launch of the Hero device, which centralized data transmission.

The CardioMEMS system received its initial FDA approval in 2014.
Broader FDA approval for heart failure use was granted in 2022.
Abbott launched the Hero external data recorder in June 2026.
The company plans to release software updates later in 2026.

The Big Picture

This development follows the precedent set by the 2022 FDA CardioMEMS expansion approval. The update extends the utility of the system by integrating patient-facing technology into a framework previously limited to clinician-only oversight.

Patients using the CardioMEMS system will gain the ability to monitor their own pressure trends directly on their smartphones. This change provides users with more immediate visibility into their heart health indicators and may improve engagement with personal treatment plans.

The takeaway

Proactive monitoring of physiological data can help patients manage heart failure before symptoms become critical. Integrating direct smartphone access empowers individuals to participate more actively in their own clinical care.