World's smallest pacemaker unveiled in US

Scientists for the first time have successfully implanted world’s smallest pacemaker dubbed as Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) in a patient in United States.
The pacemaker about size of large vitamin capsule is for patients with bradycardia, a condition characterised by a slow heart rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute.

Key Facts

• TPS provides the most advanced pacing technology. It was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
• It is one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker and is the only leadless (wireless) pacemaker approved for use in the US. It can be delivered through a catheter and implanted directly into the heart
• Unlike traditional pacemakers, it does not require cardiac wires (leads) or a surgical pocket under the skin to deliver a pacing therapy.
• It also allows us to automatically adjust pacing therapy based on a patient’s activity levels and another positive is the battery can last up to 10 years.
• It has unique feature that enables it to be permanently turned off so it can remain in the body and a new device can be implanted without risk of electrical interaction. 

What is Bradycardia?

Patients with bradycardia have lower heart rate and their heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body during normal activity or exercise, causing dizziness, shortness, fatigue of breath or fainting spells. Pacemakers are the most common way to treat bradycardia to help restore the heart’s normal rhythm and relieve symptoms by sending electrical impulses to the heart to increase the heart rate.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017