Leadless Pacemaker - A Novel Solution To An Old Problem
The normal heart has its own pacemaker that regulates the rate at which the heart beats.
However, the heart's own pacemaker may malfunction, causing the heart rate to slow down.
This condition is known as heart-block, and may result in symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath or blackout.
In such cases the implantation of an artificial pacemaker corrects the problem.
An artificial pacemaker is a device which monitors heart rate and provides electrical stimulation to the heart when it beats too slowly.
It consists of a battery-operated generator that produces the electrical impulses which travel down an insulated wire (lead) into the apex of the heart.
Since its first implantation in 1958, pacemakers have undergone innovations in size, design and function.
Pacemakers are now smaller but more efficient.
Till now, however, they need surgical implantation, which exposes the patient to the risks of infection, bleeding and accidental lung injury.
The lead is also susceptible to displacement or fracture, for which restrictions are imposed on the life-style of the patient.
Recent development of leadless pacemaker systems is likely to solve many of the potential problems associated with conventional pacemakers.
These leadless pacemakers consist of a miniature pen-like battery operated generator that could be inserted under local anesthesia through the vein in the groin, up into the chamber of the heart and positioned at the apex of the heart.
As the generator is directly in contact with the heart, no leads are necessary to send the current to the heart muscles.
With this novel technique, the potential risks of a surgical implantation and development of a scar tissue at the site of a surgical incision could be avoided.
Also, absence of a lead obviates the need for any life-style restriction.
Moreover, such pacemakers could also be readily retrieved in a way similar to the implantation procedure after the battery life runs out or should replacement be necessary for any reason.
The first human implantation of a leadless pacemaker took place in The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in 2014.
As it is implanted via the vein, the approach is less invasive as compared to traditional pacemaker implantation that needs more extensive surgery.
Operative time averaged about 30 minutes.
Even with miniaturization, the device battery is expected to have an average lifespan of ten to thirteen years.
More than 4 million people worldwide have an implanted pacemaker and an additional 700,000 patients receive the device each year.
In such a scenario, this advanced medical technology is something we can fall back on when necessary, and there is some reason to rejoice in that.
However, the heart's own pacemaker may malfunction, causing the heart rate to slow down.
This condition is known as heart-block, and may result in symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath or blackout.
In such cases the implantation of an artificial pacemaker corrects the problem.
An artificial pacemaker is a device which monitors heart rate and provides electrical stimulation to the heart when it beats too slowly.
It consists of a battery-operated generator that produces the electrical impulses which travel down an insulated wire (lead) into the apex of the heart.
Since its first implantation in 1958, pacemakers have undergone innovations in size, design and function.
Pacemakers are now smaller but more efficient.
Till now, however, they need surgical implantation, which exposes the patient to the risks of infection, bleeding and accidental lung injury.
The lead is also susceptible to displacement or fracture, for which restrictions are imposed on the life-style of the patient.
Recent development of leadless pacemaker systems is likely to solve many of the potential problems associated with conventional pacemakers.
These leadless pacemakers consist of a miniature pen-like battery operated generator that could be inserted under local anesthesia through the vein in the groin, up into the chamber of the heart and positioned at the apex of the heart.
As the generator is directly in contact with the heart, no leads are necessary to send the current to the heart muscles.
With this novel technique, the potential risks of a surgical implantation and development of a scar tissue at the site of a surgical incision could be avoided.
Also, absence of a lead obviates the need for any life-style restriction.
Moreover, such pacemakers could also be readily retrieved in a way similar to the implantation procedure after the battery life runs out or should replacement be necessary for any reason.
The first human implantation of a leadless pacemaker took place in The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in 2014.
As it is implanted via the vein, the approach is less invasive as compared to traditional pacemaker implantation that needs more extensive surgery.
Operative time averaged about 30 minutes.
Even with miniaturization, the device battery is expected to have an average lifespan of ten to thirteen years.
More than 4 million people worldwide have an implanted pacemaker and an additional 700,000 patients receive the device each year.
In such a scenario, this advanced medical technology is something we can fall back on when necessary, and there is some reason to rejoice in that.
