The “micra” pacemaker, which few hospitals in the country use, has recently been implanted. It is the world’s smallest capsule-shaped pacemaker, with no wires and no need for surgery to be implanted. In fact, it is expected to replace current conventional pacemakers within a few years. It has been in use for about a year and, at present, some 2,500 have been implanted worldwide.
Mini-pacemakers: how they work and how they are implanted
Minipacemakers are capsule-shaped: they measure 0.8 centimeters, weigh 2 grams and function in the same way as conventional pacemakers. They are single-chamber pacemakers (with a single chamber) that avoid complications related to current devices. At present, in fact, they can only replace single-chamber pacemakers, which account for almost half the cases in Spain.
To implant them, the cardiology specialist introduces a catheter through the femoral vein, which releases the capsule when it reaches the heart, specifically, the ventricle. The device has four legs that are anchored to the walls of the heart. Once inside the heart, the catheter is simply removed, leaving the pacemaker anchored to the ventricle, with no discomfort for the patient or subsequent care. The implantation process lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and the patient is discharged less than 24 hours after the intervention.
Advantages of the non-surgical micra pacemaker and who can use them
The fact that the micra pacemaker does not require surgery to implant or remove the device reduces the likelihood of infection, also avoiding scarring and the discomfort of wearing a device under the skin. It will also avoid subsequent interventions, as is the case with conventional pacemakers, which must be removed if the electrode is damaged or if the device stops working. The new mini-pacemakers have a lithium battery with a life of up to 15 years, which will avoid, in many cases, the need to change them.
In addition, the fact that the pacemaker remains in the ventricle without being removed makes them more suitable for elderly patients who do not need more than one implantation. The cases of patients between 70 and 80 years of age are usually because the heart, due to blockage, deterioration of the cardiac conduction system or any bradycardia, is slower than normal, with about 20 or 30 beats per minute, which can cause loss of consciousness or inability to exercise. This makes it even more important not to perform surgery on these patients, due to the risk it may entail.
In addition to these advantages, the patient can control it through the Internet, having a routine follow-up, without the need to travel to the hospital, which improves their quality of life.