A 74-year-old woman was suffering from serious complications following infection of a previously implanted pacemaker. She was admitted to Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket and the doctors there saved the woman’s life by performing a life-saving incisionless surgery. The patient arrived at the hospital in critical condition because her previously implanted pacemaker had become seriously infected, causing the infection to spread into her bloodstream. The situation was life-threatening, so the pacemaker and its leads had to be removed.

After his condition was stabilized through antibiotics and blood transfusion, the medical team led by Dr Balbir Singh, Chairman, Cardiology, decided to adopt an advanced approach – implantation of a lead-free pacemaker. Unlike a traditional pacemaker, which requires an incision in the chest and lead wires are attached HeartThis technology is implanted through a minimally invasive catheter without the need for any incisions or stitches. The device called AVEIR VR is the first of its kind in India.

Speaking about the procedure, Dr. Balbir Singh said, “We successfully implanted the lead-free pacemaker without any incisions or stitches. The patient responded remarkably and is now ready to walk. One day after the surgery He has been discharged soon after. He is fine.” It’s fine without any complications.”

The leadless pacemaker is 90 percent smaller than traditional devices and is designed to be more comfortable for the patient while reducing the impact of the procedure. It is equipped with a retractable design and can be safely removed if necessary. This is a unique feature and not available in other lead-free pacemakers. The patient is recovering well and is eager to resume her daily activities.

Infections caused by pacemakers are relatively rare but can be serious when they occur. Pacemaker-related infections typically occur when bacteria enter the body during the initial implantation or replacement of the device, which requires a surgical procedure. According to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, bacteria can enter the surgical site and attach to the pacemaker leads or generator. Once there, the bacteria form biofilms, which are protective layers that make them resistant to both the immune system and antibiotics.

A 2020 study in Circulation found that pacemaker infections are often caused by common skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infection after implantation can take from several days to years, causing symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain at the site, fever or, in severe cases, infection in the bloodstream.

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