First ever patient has been implanted with an Irish-developed heart 'sensor'

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The successful procedure took place at University Hospital Galway today.

It's the first human trial of a device which could positively impact thousands of people living with heart failure in Ireland every year.

The Irish Medical Times reports, that the procedure involves the implantation of the device into the inferior vena cava (IVC).

The sensor works by measuring the size of the (IVC) to allow patients to monitor the level of fluid present in their body.

Excess fluid is a common characteristic of heart failure, a disease that affects around 90,000 people in Ireland.

The new process is similar to how the ongoing monitoring of glucose has transformed diabetes care.

Conor Hanley, the CEO of Irish medtech company FIRE1, hopes it will eventually help millions of people around the world.