FUTURE-HF: Novel IVC sensor may help control volume and improve function outcomes

A new implantable inferior vena cava (IVC) sensor appeared safe, accurate, and helpful in controlling volume in patients with heart failure (HF). Using the device was also associated with improvements in functional outcomes.

“The ‘goldilocks zone’ of IVC-based HF management lies between a pressure of 10–25 mmHg,” according to Dr Kevin Damman (University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands) [1]. “And if we wait for pressure to rise, it is often already too late to avoid decompensation.” The novel IVC sensor, FIRE1, aims to measure IVC area and collapsibility, which could help manage patients with HF and keep them in the ‘goldilocks zone’. Dr Damman discussed outcomes of the FUTURE-HF portfolio, including 50 patients with HF from FUTURE-HF (NCT04203576) and 15 patients with HF from FUTURE-HF2 (NCT05763407). The participants received the FIRE1 device and were provided with equipment for home readings. Clinicians could then access the data through a cloud-based system.

At 3 months of follow-up, 100% of the devices were implanted successfully and without procedure-related serious adverse events. The system was able to transmit the collected data of all participants to the secure database, meeting the primary technical endpoint. Dr Damman mentioned that adherence with respect to daily readings was 93%, which is essential for the device’s usefulness in clinical practice. Another important result was that the sensor-derived volume measurements strongly correlated with simultaneous CT-measured values, indicating that the device yielded accurate volume measurements. Looking at some preliminary efficacy data after 1 year of follow-up, about 50% of the participants had improved in terms of NYHA class. “We observed increases in the use of medical therapies and reductions in HF events after the devices had been implanted,” said Dr Damman. Finally, IVC signals were already changing 90 days before an HF event, suggesting that data from the device could guide HF management and that appropriate therapies may be administered before the pressure rises.

“The novel IVC sensor FIRE1 was safe, uncomplicated, accurate, and may be used to control volume in patients with HF,” concluded Dr Damman. “Another study [NCT05763407] is underway to seriously test this system as an instrument to facilitate physician-directed self-management.”

1. Damman K, et al. Long-term safety, accuracy, and clinical usefulness of a novel implantable IVC sensor for remote ambulatory HF management. Hottest trials and trial updates (1), Heart Failure 2025, 17–20 May, Belgrade, Serbia.

Medical writing support was provided by Robert van den Heuvel.
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Posted on 20 May 202517 July 2025