New generation leadless pacemakers implanted for the first time in Greece

10 July 2020

The first leadless pacemakers* with atrioventricular (AV) synchrony (Medtronic Micra AV) were successfully implanted for the first time in Greece at the HYGEIA Cardiac Catheterization / Electrophysiology Lab by the Director of the 5th Cardiology Clinic, Mr. Theodoros Apostolopoulos, and his associates.

HYGEIA is among the first centers in Europe to have been certified for performing this procedure on cardiology patients, demonstrating its extremely high level of healthcare services, which is comparable to that of the best centers worldwide.

The Director of the 5th Cardiology Clinic, Cardiologist and Electrophysiology Specialist Mr. Theodoros Apostolopoulos, stated, “Leadless pacemakers are being successfully implanted at HYGEIA for the last five years. The new generation of pacemakers implanted recently have a sensor and suitable software, which provide atrial systole sensing and subsequent adjusted pacing of the ventricles. It is the first time atrioventricular synchrony is achieved in leadless pacemakers, which expands the indications for implanting these tiny devices in patients with atrioventricular block (beyond bradyarrhythmias / atrial fibrillation, which was the case to date).”

*The leadless pacemaker resembles a miniaturized capsule and it incorporates the battery, lead and upgraded software of a conventional pacemaker, while it is attached to the heart interior with tiny hooks. It lasts about 10 years and is compatible with MRI devices, while it may be monitored remotely (via the internet).