Mysuru: Apollo BGS Hospital, Mysuru, became the first hospital in the State to implant the world’s smallest pacemaker into a 68-year-old patient with bradycardia.

The implant was performed by Dr. Arun Srinivas, Head of Cardiology Department & Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo BGS Hospital, along with Dr. H.P. Guruprasad, Dr. P. Jayakumar and Dr. Adithya Udupa.

Dr. Arun Srinivas said that the 68-year-old patient had a reaction from a previous implanted regular pacemaker, due to which it had to be removed.  Since his veins were blocked, which are normally used for regular pacemaker leads, his only lifesaving option was the new Leadless pacemaker, which was implanted through the leg. It attaches directly to the walls of the heart and gives electrical signals for maintaining a normal heart rate and added that this new pacemaker is entirely MRI compatible, which can adjust the heart rate according to the patient’s activity and needs of the body.

He said that the doctors elected to use the Leadless pacemaker because unlike traditional pacemakers, the device does not require cardiac wires (leads) or a surgical ‘pocket’ under the skin to deliver pacing therapy and hence is a boon for patients who have a pacemaker / lead infection or blocked veins in the chest. It has reduced the complications and risks associated with the routine pacemaker by almost 50%, like lead infection, pacemaker pocket infection, venous obstruction etc., Dr. Arun Srinivas added. The Leadless Pacemaker also incorporates a retrieval feature to enable retrieval of the device when possible; however, the device is designed to be left in the body and the miniaturised leadless pacemaker is designed with a unique feature that enables it to be permanently turned off so it can remain in the body and a new device can be implanted without risk of electrical interaction.