Indraprastha Apollo Hospital implants first AVEIR VR Abbott Leadless Pacemaker in 75-year-old

The pacemaker is a next-generation device with unique features, including safe retrievability, the option for future upgradation to dual-chamber pacing

Dr Vanita Arora, Clinical Lead in Cardiac Electrophysiology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, has successfully implanted the first AVEIR VR Abbott Leadless Pacemaker in India.

The procedure represents a major advancement in cardiac care, providing a safe and minimally invasive solution for patients in need of a pacemaker but at high risk of complications from traditional implant methods.

The AVEIR VR Abbott Leadless Pacemaker is a next-generation device with unique features, including safe retrievability, the option for future upgradation to dual-chamber pacing, and an impressive battery longevity of 17 years. This non-surgical technology also brings new hope to patients on hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease, as well as those who have had infections from prior pacemaker implants.

Dr Arora’s patient, a 75-year-old woman with multiple health challenges, had been suffering from fatigue, loss of energy, and pre-syncope episodes. After a series of consultations that yielded no improvement, Dr Arora diagnosed her with Sick Sinus Syndrome, a condition where the heart’s natural pacemaker, or sinus node, has degenerated due to age.

“The leadless pacemaker, a catheter-mounted device, offered the perfect solution, as it’s implanted transvenously without an incision or pocket, significantly reducing these risks,” Dr Arora added.