Cardiology

Everything to Know About Leadless Pacemaker Implantation

Heart disease is a growing concern not only in India but also globally. Over 100,000 people in India experience irregular heartbeats or slow heart rates yearly. Unfortunately, reports say only a mere number of people, approximately 20,000, get pacemaker implantation in India in a year.

The number of people with heart disease is increasing year after year. Sometimes, there need not be any health issues that cause heart disease. Some common problems that can lead to heart disease are family history, fitness level, sleep, or medication side effects. In most cases, it will be a concerning situation. But if you are experiencing breathing difficulties and chest pain, it is time to consult a good doctor. Consult a doctor near you to determine if you need a pacemaker or immediate treatment.

What is a Leadless Pacemaker?

There are various types of pacemakers designed to make your life easier. One among them, the smallest, is the leadless pacemaker. It is a single-piece device without a separate battery or leads. Measuring just about 3 to 4 centimetres long, it is 90% comparatively smaller than the regular transvenous pacemaker. It regulates your irregular heartbeat rhythmically and supports a healthy heart rate.

The leadless pacemaker is implanted directly inside the heart and attached to the right side of the ventricle through a femoral vein transcatheter approach. There is no need for an incision for wires and a battery pouch on the body. It sends mild electrical impulses to the heart to make it beat regularly.

The pacemaker is programmed and tailored according to your needs. The battery life will last up to 5 to 12 years, depending on the times it has been used. Once the battery is dead, the pacemaker is turned off, and a new pacemaker is implanted near the existing one. Only a doctor can identify whether a leadless pacemaker or any other type of pacemaker is required for a person. Consult with an experienced heart specialist in Nagercoil to check the health of your heart and determine if you need pacemaker surgery in Nagercoil.

Who Needs a Leadless Pacemaker?

A leadless pacemaker is not suitable for everyone since it can only pace one ventricle. A leadless pacemaker is recommended for people with the listed conditions,

-> Having bradyarrhythmias, or slow heart rate

-> Permanent atrial fibrillation with bradycardia

-> Showing Bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome

-> Those who don’t require frequent pacing

-> Atrial fibrillation (Afib) with slow heart rates.

Leadless Pacemaker Procedure

Before the procedure

Doctors will test the patient thoroughly to determine whether they can perform the surgery. They may suggest certain medicines to take before the surgery. An attendant should be brought along to stay with the patient.

During the Procedure

The leadless pacemaker implantation time depends on the medical history and physique of the patient. Generally, it takes around 30 minutes. During the procedure, the groin area is numbed using anaesthesia. The doctor makes a small cut in the leg or groin area. There will be no sensation, thanks to the anaesthesia! Then, a long, thin tube known as a catheter is inserted carefully through the femoral vein. With the help of an X-ray image, the doctors connect the pacemaker to the heart. The pacemaker is then positioned on the right ventricle of the heart’s interior. The pacemaker’s nickel titanium tines will hold onto the heart’s muscles. Once it gets attached to the heart’s muscles, the doctors perform specific tests to check whether it functions correctly. After ensuring everything is perfect, the catheter gets removed from the groin area, and the incision area is closed.

After the Procedure

It is advised to lie flat on the bed for several hours immediately after the procedure to prevent blood loss or bleeding caused by sitting or standing. The doctors will also suggest certain medications to prevent the development of blood clots and bleeding. Doctors will also advise avoiding intense exercise, lifting weights, and self-driving for a few weeks. Only a nightstand will be required after the procedure.

Before undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation, check the cost and insurance coverage with the hospital. Depending on the model used, the cost in Nagercoil can range from Rs. 10 lakhs.

Benefits of Leadless Pacemaker Implantation

The leadless pacemaker implantation offers many benefits over the traditional pacemaker implantation. Some of the expected benefits are:

  • They are small and are not uncomfortable like other traditional pacemakers.
  • Unlike traditional pacemakers, no incision is made; hence, there is no chance of pocket infections or hematoma.
  • There are no lead or wires, so lead dislodgment and lead fracture are impossible.
  • Leadless pacemaker implantation recovery is much faster since no lead is inserted and connected to the heart.
  • Since the absence of leads, long-term complications are not present.
  • From a cosmetic point of view, the leadless pacemaker is appealing since there are no visible scars or the device is placed inside the chest.
  • Site inflammation, infections related to the leads, and blockage or breakage of the veins are not present with leadless pacemakers.
  • There are no restrictions on the mobility of the arm area after the implantation.
  • The leadless pacemaker prevents dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath induced by a slow heart rate.

There are no complications related to wire breakage, which further leads to lead extraction and replacement of wires, which can occur with wired pacemakers. No worries about leadless pacemaker infection.

Downsides of Leadless Pacemaker Implantation

Even though leadless pacemaker implantation offers numerous benefits, there are certain downsides one should keep in mind.

The most common issue associated with leadless pacemaker implantation is the swelling and bleeding at the incision site.

It is designed to provide only single-chamber ventricular pacing.

It lacks defibrillation ability.

The chance of cardiac perforation is high.

They are more expensive than the traditional pacemaker.

And conditions such as pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade can happen in rare cases.

Seek cardiologists’ advice about the advantages and complications of leadless pacemaker implantation from a leading heart hospital in Nagercoil, like Calwin Hospitals. Doctors here are heart specialists and experts in coronary angiograms, angioplasties, pacemakers, and Balloon mitral Valvetomy.

How successful is Leadless Pacemaker?

Recent studies say that the success rate of Leadless pacemakers is 99.1%. Pacemaker surgery helps people with a vulnerable immune system, mainly older adults or people with a previous history of infections due to implanted machines. Performing the surgery at a multispeciality hospital in Nagercoil, like Calwin Hospitals, can guarantee a high success rate of pacemaker surgeries.

Conclusion

Leadless pacemaker implantation can save a person’s life from a slow heartbeat and bring confidence and joy throughout their lives. Unlike traditional pacemakers, this leadless pacemaker is inserted directly inside the heart. It enhances the health and quality of a person’s life within a few months. Before performing the surgery, check the cost, hospital history, success rate of surgeries, and review from other patients. Check Calwin Hospitals, the best hospital in Nagercoil, for excellent cardiology, pulmonology, and ophthalmology services. We have a high-standard medical care facility offering the latest equipment and technology. With our success and safety procedures backing us up, we provide personal care to each of our patients and guide them to a speedy recovery and to achieve a healthy life.

calwinhospitals

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