2014, October 29, 2014
Implantation of a new and tiny
leadless pacemaker
Cardiologists specializing in cardiac rhythm disorders at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) have performed the first Quebec implantation of a new pacemaker smaller than a AAA battery. Unlike standard pacemakers, it resides entirely in the heart's right ventricle. This pacemaker is implanted without leads or chest incision, and therefore causes no scarring or permanent lump under the skin.
On October 24, 2014, Drs. Bernard Thibault and Marc Dubuc, cardiac electrophysiologists at the Montreal Heart Institute and professors of Medicine at the Université de Montréal, performed this intervention on an 87-year-old patient. Only 24 hours after the intervention, the patient was discharged from the hospital and returned home.
"The Nanostim leadless pacemaker is ten times smaller than a conventional pacemaker and is the least invasive technology available on the market," explained Dr. Guerra, Chief of the Department of Medicine who also attended the implant procedure. "It is a considerable advantage since we know that more than 250,000 Canadians have a pacemaker and that this number will continue to increase year after year because of the ageing of the population. Its small size and the absence of generator implanted under the skin greatly improve patient comfort. We hope this may contribute to lowering the risk of complications."
Developed by St. Jude Medical, the Nanostim pacemaker was implanted under local anaesthesia as part of the international clinical trial LEADLESS II, for which the MHI is the only centre in Quebec. For the implantation, the two cardiologists used a minimally invasive procedure. They inserted a small catheter in the patient's groin and guided it into the heart through a vein. Once the pacemaker was in place, they secured it to the wall of the heart near the bottom of the right ventricle before removing the catheter.
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Dr. Peter Guerra is available for interviews.
Images of the pacemaker and an animation of the implantation are available upon request.
About the Montreal Heart Institute
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute fosters the highest standards of excellence in cardiology through its leadership in clinical and fundamental research, ultra-specialized care, professional training, and prevention. It is part of the vast network of excellence in health established by Université de Montréal and its affiliates.
About the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
The Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and administers funds to support the Montreal Heart Institute and its innovative and priority projects, and to assist the Institute in its fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Since its inception in 1977, the Foundation has granted more than $175 million to the Montreal Heart Institute.
Information:
Lise Plante MBA, Communications and Marketing Director
Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
Phone: 514-376-3330, extension 3898 | lise.plante@icm-mhi.org
Julie Chevrette, Communications and Promotion Officer
Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
Phone: 514-376-3330, extension 2641 | julie.chevrette@icm-mhi.org