Chennai, Dec 19: MGM Healthcare, successfully treated a 60-year-old patient, who suffered from dangerously low heart rate (bradycardia) due to atrioventricular (AV) block, a rare and high-risk electrical conduction disorder of the heart. The patient underwent an emergency AVEIR DR, a true dual–chamber leadless (wireless) pacemaker implantation, a next-generation minimally invasive procedure currently available only at a very few centers in India.
The patient was admitted with a heart rate of 44 beats per minute. Initial evaluation ruled out common causes of bradycardia, including medication effects, electrolyte imbalance, thyroid dysfunction and coronary artery disease. However, his condition rapidly progressed to a high-grade AV block, with his heart rate falling further to a critically low 28 beats per minute, placing him at imminent risk of fainting, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest. Following comprehensive evaluation, he was diagnosed with second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, Mobitz type II, a condition in which electrical impulses fail to conduct properly from the atria (upper chambers) to the ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart.
The patient was supported with a temporary pacemaker for stabilisation, before the implantation of the advanced permanent pacemaker. This procedure posed technical challenges due to highly specialised nature of dual chamber leadless pacing. It required precise catheter navigation, accurate device placement, and meticulous synchronisation between the atrial and ventricular units.
The implantation was performed by a team of interventional cardiologists led by Dr. Babu Ezhumalai, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Structural and Endovascular Interventions, MGM Healthcare, Chennai.
In his comments, Dr. Babu Ezhumalai noted, “Unlike conventional pacemakers that require leads and a surgical pocket, the AVEIR DR, a true dual-chamber leadless (wireless) pacemaker eliminates the need for surgical incisions, thereby avoiding complications related to leads and surgical pocket. It reduces the risk of infection while preserving natural atrioventricular synchrony. The successful outcome underscores the importance of adopting cutting-edge dual-chamber leadless pacing technology for the safe and effective management of complex cardiac rhythm disorders. To date, only a limited number of such implants have been performed nationwide.”