Dr. Banker Offering Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemakers

November 6, 2023

Just a few months ago, we discussed a novel pacing technology that, at the time, was progressing through clinical trials in which Dr. Banker participated. Today with Abbott’s AVEIRTM dual chamber leadless pacemaker approved, Dr. Banker and Premier Cardiology of Newport Beach are one of only a handful of practices nationwide that are actively using this revolutionary technology on their patients.

What Is a Leadless Pacemaker?

Leadless pacemakers are the latest in pacing technology. By implanting a tiny wireless pacemaker into a ventricle, we can effectively pace the heart without the need or risks associated with a pacemaker implanted in the chest with wires to the heart.

What Is a Dual-Chamber Leadless Pacemaker?

One of the few limitations of a traditional leadless pacemaker was that it was only offered as a single device, meaning it could only be implanted in one chamber of the heart. However, some patients require dual chamber pacing – this is to say that two chambers need to be synchronized. Traditionally, this was done with wired technology.

Making it wireless required exceptionally advanced technology to ensure that two leadless pacing devices not only did their job to pace the heart but also communicated with each other to ensure proper heart rhythm. This technology is now available as two distinct devices implanted into the right atrium and the right ventricle and gives many patients requiring a dual chamber pacemaker the option to go wireless.

Is a Leadless Pacemaker Better Than Its Traditional Counterpart?

The suitability of a leadless pacemaker is determined on a case-by-case basis based on a consultation with Dr. Banker and any follow-up tests. These wireless devices can go toe-to-toe with a traditional pacemaker, often offering the patient a better experience.

There is also the option, with this new system, to start with ventricular pacing and eventually add atrial pacing if sick sinus syndrome develops over time.

The device also has excellent long-term retrieval percentages. According to the manufacturer, approximately 88% of devices were successfully retrieved over nine years.

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