Docs implant leadless pacemaker on elderly
Dharwad: The doctors at
SDM Narayana Heart Centre
in Sattur, Dharwad have successfully implanted a micra
leadless pacemaker
on a 79-year-old industrialist from Bengaluru.
Unlike conventional pacemakers that require a chest incision and wires, the leadless pacemaker is a compact, wire-free device.
The procedure was performed on the industrialist who had a history of recurrent episodes of syncope (sudden loss of consciousness) due to bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) caused by an AV (atrioventricular) block.
The patient had been experiencing dizziness and multiple episodes of fainting since June last year. One such incident led to a nasal bone fracture, and another resulted in a road accident while driving. Though stable upon admission, he underwent a cardiac evaluation, including ECG, ECHO, Holter monitoring, coronary angiogram and routine blood tests, before the diagnosis was confirmed.
Senior consultant cardiologist Dr Raghu Prasad S, who led the procedure, said the implantation was done using a minimally invasive approach. "The procedure requires no incision in the chest or under the skin, only a small puncture in the groin area, from where the device is implanted into the heart via a catheter inserted into the vein. It reduces the risk of complications and improves patient comfort and recovery," Dr Prasad said.
Highlighting the procedure that lasted barely 45 minutes, he said, "The leadless pacemaker was positioned and implanted directly into the right ventricle, to facilitate electrical impulses to be delivered to regulate the heart's rhythm."
The pacemaker that was inserted in the patient is a small tube-like device which is the size of two vitamin capsules and 93% smaller than a conventional pacemaker. It is a modern, minimally invasive device used to treat slow heart rhythms, he said.
The patient was discharged the next day after the procedure. He was reported to have resumed his daily routine and regular work schedule, without any discomfort.
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