SHILLONG: The department of cardiology , NEIGRIHMS has added another feather to its cap by successfully implanting a leadless pacemaker in the heart of a 75 –year-old patient.
A statement from the Department of Cardiology said that leadless pacemaker was successfully implanted in the heart of a 75-year-old patient on November 20.
The patient, a resident of Shillong, was suffering from a block in the electrical system in his heart which caused him to have frequent episodes of disabling dizziness.
A team comprising of Prof Animesh Mishra , Dr. Amit Malviya assisted by the senior residents and technician performed the procedure .
The statement said that Prof Animesh Mishra , HOD Cardiology was instrumental in bringing this technology to NEIGRIHMS and his constant efforts in this direction and supervision of operation had finally paid off.
He reiterated the need of newer and better technology at the door steps for overall benefit of the patients .
The leadless pacemaker, a miniaturised heart device the size of which is only slightly bigger than a multivitamin capsule, was implanted directly into his heart using a catheter inserted via a small hole on his leg .
It is one tenth the size of a usual pacemaker and is the least invasive pacing technology available today.
Incorporating cutting edge technology, a leadless pacemaker allows pacemaker insertion directly into a human heart without any visible lumps, scars or insulated wires as seen in conventional pacemakers.
Conventional pacemakers are surgically placed under the skin of a patient’s chest, with wires (called leads) stretching from the shoulder vein and attaching to the heart. These wires and the surgical implantation are the most common source of complications, occurring in up to 12 percent of device recipients, according to previous research. Leadless pacemakers, by contrast, do not need wires and have lesser complications than conventional pacemakers.
The length of stay required for the patient to be in the hospital for the procedure is also significantly reduced. The implantation itself takes only about 30 minutes and the patient can go back home and perform most of his daily activities as early as the next day after successful implantation.
It may be mentioned that Leadless pacemakers were introduced in 2014, and the first leadless pacemaker implantation in India was done in February this year in Kerala
With this successful implantation, the department of Cardiology, NEIGRIHMS, is now one of the few selected centers in the country with the expertise and the ability to perform such a procedure.
— —