The General University Hospital of Elche implants a wireless pacemaker for the first time

Milestone at the General University Hospital of Elche. The Electrophysiology Unit of the Cardiology Service has performed its first implantation of a wireless pacemaker in a patient with a severe heart rhythm disorder, which causes a slow heart rate requiring such interventions. This was announced on the occasion of World Heart Day, which is commemorated this Sunday.

Dr. Pedro Morillas, head of the Cardiology Service of the hospital explained that pacemakers, "conventionally, consist of one or more leads that are placed inside the heart through the puncture of specific veins located in the chest. These leads are connected to a battery that generates electrical impulses and is placed under the skin through a surgical incision usually made on the left side of the chest."

"In this way," continued the specialist, "the leads transmit to the heart the impulse sent by the battery to restore the heart rate alteration. However, these procedures carry a series of risks such as infection of the leads or battery, which often necessitates their removal. Additionally, preserved chest veins are required for implantation."

To overcome these limitations, special pacemakers have been developed in recent years that do not require leads for their operation and are implanted directly inside the heart.

"In our patient's case, anomalies were detected in the chest veins that prevented placing a conventional pacemaker. Additionally, she had a very high risk of infection due to her various pathologies, making the best option in her case to implant a wireless pacemaker," said Dr. Laura García, member of the Electrophysiology Unit.

Furthermore, for this first implantation, the Service had the support of Dr. Juan Gabriel Martínez from the Cardiology Service at Doctor Balmis General University Hospital.

The wireless pacemaker is a very small device, cylindrical in shape and only 2.5 cm long and less than 1 cm wide. It has an internal battery and does not require leads, allowing it to be anchored directly to the heart through a series of legs located at its tip.

The procedure is minimally invasive as it is performed by puncturing the femoral vein located in the patient's groin. Through this vein, the pacemaker is introduced with a catheter that is guided until it reaches the heart. Since no surgical incision or leads are required, this intervention allows patients to resume their normal life early.

"The development of the Electrophysiology Unit at Elche General University Hospital has expanded its service portfolio and offers such procedures to certain patients to improve their quality of life and care," concluded Dr. Morillas.