What Is a Leadless Pacemaker? A Key Tool for Electrophysiologists
What is a leadless pacemaker? Learn how this tiny device regulates the heartbeat, why it is safer than a conventional one and how long it lasts.
Medicine, and cardiovascular care in particular, is advancing rapidly. As a result, many problems involving the heart and circulation can now be treated effectively. One term that is becoming better known is the leadless pacemaker, a small device often recommended by interventional electrophysiology specialists. Here's an overview.
What Is a Leadless Pacemaker?
A leadless pacemaker is a device placed inside the heart that delivers electrical impulses to keep it beating regularly. It is shaped like a bullet, roughly 25.9 millimeters long and weighing 2 grams. Its tiny size makes it far more compact than a conventional pacemaker.
For context, conventional pacemakers are known to have several drawbacks in terms of safety and ease of implantation. They rely on a complex set of wires that must be threaded into the blood vessels, which carries a high risk if something goes wrong.
The leadless pacemaker was developed to solve these problems. It can be implanted easily, making the procedure more comfortable for both patients and doctors. It also carries fewer risks, because it doesn't require a set of wires implanted in the patient's body.
Also read Why Choose Heartology for Heart Problems
How a Leadless Pacemaker Works
A leadless pacemaker used by interventional electrophysiology specialists paces the heart by delivering electrical impulses to the surrounding heart muscle. Thanks to its small size, it can be implanted without the surgical procedure required for a conventional pacemaker. That means no incisions, wounds or lumps on the body.
Once implanted, the device gradually regulates the patient's heartbeat through electrical impulses. This helps prevent arrhythmia symptoms. In the end, blood from the heart can reach every part of the body, minimizing health problems.
Common complaints caused by an irregular heartbeat include dizziness, fatigue, fainting and seeing spots. If left untreated, these can damage several vital organs and even lead to death. No wonder the leadless pacemaker is now quite popular and frequently recommended by cardiologists.
Many interventional electrophysiology clinics have begun offering the device to treat heart rhythm disorders. So how long does it last? Like a conventional pacemaker, it can keep a patient's heartbeat steady for 10 to 12 years, although you'll need regular checkups during that time. If you have a heart rhythm disorder, it's worth consulting a doctor about getting a leadless pacemaker. Choosing a treatment method, of course, requires a thorough examination. Only if a cardiologist also recommends it should you go ahead with it.
One member of the Heartology medical team with expertise in interventional electrophysiology is Dr. Dicky Hanafy, Sp.JP (K), whose areas of expertise include cardiac arrest, atrial fibrillation, structural heart disease, heart failure and ventricular tachycardia ablation. Visit the Heartology website to book an appointment with Dr. Dicky Hanafy.
