Mini pacemaker smaller than a paper clip

Experimental leadless device designed to be permanent

PITTSBURGH, Penn. – As we age, the electrical pulses that keep our heart beating normally can start to slow down, causing our hearts rates to slow or even take long pauses in-between beats. Traditionally, surgeons implant a pacemaker into the chest to help the heart. Now, cardiac experts are testing an experimental device designed to eliminate major surgery and still keep the heart on track. 

Tom Brubaker, 73 years old, checks his blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse several times a day.

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"If it's high, that tells me I'm in A-Fib," Brubaker explained.

Atrial fibrillation means his heart is pausing. However, a miniature device automatically put his heart back in rhythm. In May, surgeons implanted a leadless mini pacemaker in Brubaker's heart as part of a clinical trial.

"The device is so small we're able to implant via the femoral vein in the leg, into the right ventricle of the heart," said Andrew Voigt, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Four prongs on the tip of the pacemaker hook into the heart muscle. If the heart is out of rhythm, the device automatically generates an electrical pulse. Unlike a traditional pacemaker, there are no wires needed. 

"The leadless pacemaker eliminates what traditionally has been the weakest link in the pacemaker system, which is the wire," Voigt explained.

"I told people I just got a new pacemaker put it in my heart," Brubaker said. 

Since he didn't need a large incision, Brubaker was back on his feet quickly. He was happy to spend a sunny day outdoors.

Like traditional pacemakers, the leadless mini pacemaker is designed to be permanent.  Voigt says the batteries on the mini pacemaker are projected to last for about 5 to 10 years, but the device is so small, doctors intend to implant a second device next to the first once the original wears out.

Additional Information:

A pacemaker is a small device that regulates and normalizes an abnormal heart rhythm through the use of electrical pulses. Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias, a condition where the heart beats too slowly, too fast, or out of rhythm. During an arrhythmia, damage can be caused to the body's organs that could lead to loss of consciousness or death. Pacemakers have electrodes that monitor your heart's electrical activity. If it detects a heart's rhythm as abnormal, it will send electrical pulses to the heart in order to regulate the heart rate properly. (Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/howdoes.html)

RISKS: A surgically implanted pacemaker can brings a lot of risks with it. Infection around the surgical site could set in and should be treated at the first signs of any infectious symptoms. Also, once a pacemaker is in, patients will have to monitor their surroundings for any magnetic or electromagnetic fields. These could disrupt the operations and functions of the pacemaker, so patients should know their limitations. (Source: http://www.medtronic.com/patients/bradycardia/pacemaker/benefits-and-risks/index.htm)    

NEW TECHNOLOGY: A new experimental device may be able to keep heart rates normal without having major surgery. The leadless pacemaker is unique from other pacemakers in that it's inserted through a catheter and doesn't require an incision in the chest. The revolutionary device is also tiny; about the size of a AAA battery and is wireless. The pacemaker is designed to operate for around 10 years and has a long-lasting lithium battery. The leadless pacemaker is being tested at several medical centers across the country. Researchers plan to expand the number of test sites to about 50, and hope to implant several hundred devices.  Dr. Voigt says depending upon the results of the trial, the FDA could grant approval for the device in one to two years. (Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2014/05/27/UPMC-implants-wireless-pacemaker/stories/201405200202)