JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Each year, 200,000 people will undergo a surgery to have a pacemaker implanted. Most pacemakers last six to 10 years. The biggest problem with traditional pacemakers is that the leads, or wires that are used to send electrical currents into the heart to shock it back into rhythm, break or fail. But now, a new type of pacemaker may keep hearts going without using any wires at all. New Wireless Pacemaker
How did you feel six months ago? How do you feel now? How did you feel last year? Are you able to do the things that you used to do six months ago?
The answers to these questions can reveal a lot. Sometimes it’s age, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s a sign you have a heart problem.
“Patients experience fatigue, tiredness, lightheadedness, dizziness, inability to meet the needs of daily life,” explains Baptist Health electrophysiologist, Dr. Venkata Sagi, MD.
People with slower than normal heart rates may need a pacemaker that sends electrical impulses to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. Dr. Sagi is leading a study using a new leadless, or wireless, pacemaker that’s smaller than a AAA battery. Unlike traditional pacemakers, this new leadless pacemaker does not require a large incision in the chest. Instead, a catheter is used to insert it inside the heart.
Dr. Sagi further explains, “The advantage of this new technology is that there are two separate pacemakers that are implanted; one in the bottom chamber, one in the top chamber.”
The two devices wirelessly communicate with each other to restore a normal heart rhythm.
“They will find a remarkable improvement in their quality of life immediately,” Dr. Sagi adds.
Another advantage of this system is that these are retrievable. With the existing FDA-approved devices, when it fails or needs to be replaced, the pacemaker is usually left inside and another one is put in beside it. With the leadless pacemakers, with another minimally invasive catheter procedure, a doctor can remove it and put in a new one. The final phase of the global clinical trial is underway right now. By the end of 2023, researchers hope to get final approval by the FDA.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Roque Correa, Videographer & Editor.
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Source:
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2016/03/23/08/09/permanent-leadless-cardiac-pacing
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: NEW WIRELESS PACEMAKER SHOCKING HEARTS BACK INTO RHYTHM
REPORT: MB #5166
BACKGROUND: A pacemaker is a small device that attaches to the chest and attempts to regulate the heartbeat. It is used to stop the heart from beating too slowly, regulating an irregular beating pattern, or for recovery after a heart attack. They require invasive surgery to implant. Pacemakers are also referred to as cardiac pacing devices. During implantation surgeries for pacemakers individuals are often kept awake.
(Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6123943/
DIAGNOSING: Before prescribing a pacemaker to a patient, a doctor will likely order multiple tests to find the cause of an irregular heartbeat pattern. Tests may include an EKG, holter monitoring, echocardiogram tests, and stress tests. During surgery, wires are injected into the major vein near the collarbone and paved into the heart using x-ray images. It is recommended patients keep cell phones at least 6 inches away from the pacemakers, be mindful of security systems, keep doctors updated, and stand at least two feet away from power-generating equipment.
(Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689
NEW TECHNOLOGY: A new kind of pacemaker is keeping heartbeats steady without any wires. An electrophysiologist from Baptist Health lead a study of a new wireless and leadless pacemaker. It is smaller than the traditional one and smaller than historic ones as well. The new pacemaker does not require as large of an incision and is inserted inside the heart. There are two separate pacemakers inserted, one at the top and one at the bottom of the heart chamber. The two pacemakers communicate with each other and restore normal heartbeat patterns. This will improve the quality of life for thousands of people.
(Source:
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Wesley Roberts
(704) 473-9750
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