Kolkata hospital introduces injectable pacemaker for cardiac patients
Times of India | 21 November 2024
12 Kolkata: In a significant and transformative improvement in procedural technology, a private hospital in Kolkata implanted an injectable pacemaker in a cardiac patient, marking a first in eastern India. An injectable pacemaker is a leadless device implanted through a minimally invasive procedure. A catheter is inserted into a vein in the leg and guided to the heart, where the device is deployed and anchored into the heart tissue. Once in place, the pacemaker continuously monitors the heart's electrical activity and delivers impulses as needed to maintain a regular rhythm.
This life-saving device was inserted into a 65-year-old patient's heart at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria. Already in use across the United States, Europe and some other parts of India, the innovative pacemaker provides Indian patients with a safer and less invasive alternative to traditional pacemakers for managing heart rhythm disorders.
While the pacemaker is not rechargeable, it has a unique advantage, said Manipal Hospital interventional cardiologist PK Hazra. "It can be upgraded from a single to a dual-chamber configuration, offering a versatile and long-term solution for patients. It can efficiently separate and regulate the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. This pacemaker not only eliminates the need for invasive surgery and external wires but also features Bluetooth-enabled technology, allowing remote monitoring and adjustments. Specialists from all over the world can now monitor their patients, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits," said Hazra.
This device is ideal for patients with compromised immunity or conditions like skin issues, those on dialysis, or patients who are on blood thinners, according to Sumanta Chatterjee, consultant cardiologist, Manipal. "The device's minimally invasive nature also makes it ideal for elderly patients or young women concerned about scarring," said Chatterjee.
The leadless pacemaker weighs just 2.4 grams and uses nanotechnology to remain securely positioned within the heart. It has a lifespan of 20-25 years, which is three times that of conventional pacemakers (7-8 years). It is non-magnetic, which makes it immune to airport scanners, MRI machines, and high-voltage electrical currents.