A doctor at the University of California, Davis, was the first in the world to implant a removable leadless pacemaker in a child.

(SACREMENTO)

Dan Cortez, director of the Department of Pediatric Electrophysiology at the University of California, Davis, has become the first doctor in the world to implant a removable leadless pacemaker in a child.

Removable leadless pacemaker
The child was implanted with an Aveir VR pacemaker through the internal jugular vein.

This new device is called Aveir VR and is manufactured by Abbott. It is designed to be easily removed when the battery needs to be changed.

Most traditional pacemakers are surgically implanted through the chest to the outside of the heart and then connected to the heart via leads.

This removable pacemaker was implanted in a child through the internal jugular vein in a cardiac cath lab and has no wires. Instead, the heart consumes it.

“It’s amazing how small the device is. It’s about the size of one AA battery,” said Heather Hayes, whose son Matthias was the first to undergo the procedure last month. “My son now wears a medical bracelet to let people know he has a pacemaker because otherwise you would never know. No scars and no sign of it.”

Before the procedure, Matthias had a very slow pulse – about 30 beats per minute. His skin was pale and he had very little energy.

After the procedure, Matthias’ heart returned to its normal resting rate and his skin regained its color. At school he was more attentive.

“His teacher at school noticed the improvement right away,” Hayes said. “It was a blessing. Dr. Cortez is the best. He saved my son.”

The pacemaker is expected to last through childhood and adulthood, but if the battery needs to be replaced, this removable leadless pacemaker is easy to remove.

“We are delighted to provide our patients with this cutting-edge procedure. No cuts. They just put a suture on the neck on the day of the operation and removed it the next morning, ”said Cortez.

Pacemakers are usually placed in children with congenital complete heart block, a rare condition that affects 1 in 15,000 to 22,000 children.

In 2018, Cortes became the first doctor in the world to implant a Micra non-retractable pacemaker in a child through the internal jugular vein.

Content Source

California Press News – Latest News:
Los Angeles Local News || Bay Area Local News || California News || Lifestyle News || National news || Travel News || Health News

Related Articles

Back to top button