As per recent research, wireless (leadless pacemaker) has >99% implant success rate and 63% fewer long-term complications than conventional pacemaker and eliminates pocket-related and lead-related complications.[1]Patients can be mobilized within a few hours after the procedure and can return to normal activities on the next day requiring maximum of 24 hours hospitalization. There is a need to raise awareness on this new technology as well as its benefits.
Normally an adult has a heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute at rest. When heart rate drops below 40 beats per minute people experience tiredness, fainting episodes and serious injury to body. Pacemaker device help maintain the optimal heart rate and can be used for treating this condition of low heart rate.
Speaking about this, Dr Babu Ezhumalai, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennaisaid, “Traditional pacemaker has two parts namely pulse generator (battery) and lead. Through a minor surgical incision, thepulse generator is implanted beneaththe skin in upper chest wallbelow the shoulder bone and a long lead passing through a vein connects this pulse generator to heart. The implantation procedure requires temporary withholding of blood thinner therapy, 3-7 days of hospital stay and removal of stitches one week after the procedure. There is a small bump in the upper chest. At times,there may be a possibility of lead-related complications and pocket-related complications. Traditional pacemaker can be single or dual chamber pacemaker with an average battery longevity of 7-8 years.”
Adding further, Dr Ezhumalai, said,“In a normal heart, electrical impulses originate in the upper chamber of heart and this impulse is conducted to the lower chamber and other parts of the heart. Dual chamber leadless pacemaker provides AV synchrony, that is, senses anomalies in these impulse events and transmits it to the right ventricle. Leadless pacemakers, because of the way they function, do not cause any obstruction to the veins which are otherwise imported for patients undergoing kidney dialysis functions (catheter inserted in the veins for dialysis of patients with kidney diseases).
Wireless (leadless) pacemaker is the world’s smallest and lightest pacemaker currently available.[2] It is tiny (less than a tenth size of traditional pacemaker), comparable in size to a large vitamin capsule and weighs less than 2 grams.[3]Wireless pacemaker does not require the use of lead or chest incision. It is delivered via pin hole in the thigh and implanted directly within the heart. Implantation of leadless pacemaker requires less than 30 minutes with rare chances of infection.[4]It is cosmetically good with no incision, stitches and scar, and invisible to the patients after implantation. Blood-thinner therapy, if ongoing, can be continued without interruption. The post-procedure recovery time is quicker.Leadless pacemakers are MRI compatible with an average battery longevity of a single chamber leadless pacemaker being 12yearsand that of dual chamber pacemaker being 8-13 years.
Disclaimer: “Any and all the Information provided in the article are independent views expressed by Dr Babu Ezhumalai, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai and are intended for general overview and educational purposes only. This article is not to be treated as a medical advice. You are required to consult your registered medical practitioner for any clarification around this article”
