The world’s first miniaturized pacemaker that does not require external electrodes or invasive surgery, while still not fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is approved for use in the European Union.
Classic pacemakers are implanted subcutaneously, usually below the left collarbone, in a pocket made in soft tissues. The electrodes are brought to the heart through the veins. It is the electrodes that are the most unreliable element of the stimulators used so far. Another problem is the contamination-prone pocket.
The miniature pacemaker called Nanostim is so small that it can be inserted by percutaneous technique (through the femoral vein). The built-in battery lasts for 9 to 13 years – similar to much larger starters. Eliminating additional electrodes reduces the risk of failure and infection.
Despite the theoretical superiority of the new stimulator over the existing ones, some experts are cautious in their assessments and are waiting for the practical results of its use.
Annually, around 700 are implanted in the world. pacemakers.
Sources: MedGadget / Money.pl
Text: Tomasz Kabosz