Overview

The team of doctors in the cardiology department at Aster Hospitals use advanced technologies for implanting a leadless pacemaker in the heart. The procedure involves positioning and securing a leadless pacemaker in the right chamber of your heart. The cardiologists at Aster Hospitals are highly trained and skilled in conducting the procedure of leadless pacemaker implantation. 

A leadless pacemaker is a small, self-contained electrode and generator in a single device that controls or increases the heartbeat. It is also called a cardiac pacing device or leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP). The device is like a small capsule-like metal box containing a high-energy battery. You may need a pacemaker if your heartbeat is very slow and your heart cannot pump blood to the body parts. A pacemaker shall keep your heart beating regularly and pump blood efficiently. Modern pacemakers do not need wires; they are called leadless pacemakers. 

Our heart has nodes and fibers that conduct electrical signals called impulses through the heart's chambers. The electrical impulses regulate and coordinate the pumping action and contraction of the heart muscles. Each contraction of the ventricles is felt as a heartbeat. When there are problems with the heart's electrical signals, a pacemaker may be required to regulate the heart's electrical activity. If the heart beats slowly, the pacemaker sends signals, restoring the heartbeat to a regular rate. 

A traditional pacemaker has a metal box with a pulse generator and wires as leads. They are kept in the heart vein by cutting the chest wall. These pacemakers are known as transvenous pacemakers. The new technologies have changed the way pacemakers are placed and operated. Modern pacemakers are leadless, kept directly in the heart's chamber without cutting through the chest wall, and have years of battery life. 

The type of pacemaker recommended for you shall depend upon your heart condition. There are four types of pacemakers:

• Single chamber pacemaker paces one chamber, the right upper or right lower heart chamber.

• Dual chamber pacemakers can pace both the upper and lower heart chambers on the right side.

• Biventricular or resynchronization pacemakers pace both the heart's right and left lower chambers. 

• Leadless pacemakers.

Two types of leadless pacemakers have been made. They are:

• Transcatheter pacing system

• Nanostim leadless cardiac pacemaker

Leadless pacemakers have several benefits over transvenous pacemakers. These include:

• Self-contained electrode system

• Implanted directly into the heart

• No leads or wires required

• 90% smaller than a transvenous pacemaker

• No complications of infections, dislodgement, or hematoma

• Cosmetically compliant as no cut in the chest

• No pacemaker pocket

• Long battery life of up to 15 years 

• Safe through MRI machines

Yet, leadless pacemakers have certain limitations, such as:

• Can do only single chamber electrical signal pacing 

• Cannot be used for conditions such as sinus node dysfunction

• Cannot defibrillate

The complication rate with leadless pacemakers is very low. A few of the risks involved may be:

• Discomfort at the access point of the femoral vein in the groin

• Repositioning of the device may be needed.

• Perforation in the heart structure

• Pericardial effusion- a collection of fluids around the heart

Health Conditions Treated

• Slow heartbeat or bradycardia

• Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias

• Genetic defects in the electrical activity of the heart

• Heart failure