Dual chamber Leadless pacemakers are doing great in initial trials!

Lol

by Lavender - 2023-06-07 11:40:26

You're only two months into your pacemaker and leads. You've got potentially many years wearing your present setup. I know that leads are a big concern of yours, but you most likely won't be a candidate for anything else in a long time.  By the time you need an upgrade, leadless pacemakers will be perfected and they'll probably think of something even better. 😉

It is always encouraging seeing scientific advances-especially those close to our hearts. 🤣💕

exciting progress

by Tracey_E - 2023-06-07 12:52:21

I think we're a long way from these replacing current devices with leads, but it's exciting progress.

The quote below is why I don't think we are there yet. If 10% have serious complications, how many minor complications are there? That's a very high rate, IMO, much higher than traditional leads. I've been following these developments closely as I'll need a replacement in the next year or so. My current leads are doing well but one is 29 years old so likely will not last through my next battery, so the decision will be replace it at the same time as the device or wait until we have to. If leadless continues to improve, I'll keep waiting. 

"In the study, 90.3% of the patients were free from device- or procedure-related serious adverse events at 90 days after implantation. In the analysis, the electrical performance targets for the atrial (upper chamber) device were met in 90.2% of the patients at the 3 month follow-up visit. A total of 35 device- or procedure-related serious adverse events occurred in 29 patients."

Technology is ever evolving

by Baban - 2023-06-07 13:38:16

Lavender- Yeh I know that i am just 2 months into my operation 😂😂 lol.. But still that news made me excited because i am aware of the complications of lead revision.. I just want technology to evolve more and the engineers and scientists do some miracles everyday! Atleast we can hope for that 😅

Tracey_E - I want the leadless pacemakers do really well in the coming 5 years or so. They are already in the clinical trials. I think leadless is the future and you should wait a little longer for this technology to come close to perfection if there is no emergency. I know that i am super young to comment on this topic but still I am excited for everyone who's going to have a leadless pacemaker in future. 

age

by Tracey_E - 2023-06-08 16:06:04

Doesn't matter how old you are, comment away! You have  a pacer, that makes you one of us. 

I haven't heard anything about it in a while so I don't know where it is in testing, but they are also working on one that recharges from our movement, sort of like a Rolex. So, possibly eliminating batteries is also in our future. 

My prediction, the biggest issue long term with the leadless isn't getting them to work well, it's what happens after several replacements. They are not intended to come out, they add a new one. That's fine with someone starting with their first one at 80 or 70 or even 60,  not so good for someone who can expect to pace for 50+ years. But who knows what they'll come up with next! 

Tracey_E

by Baban - 2023-06-08 16:16:01

The self charging is really interesting!! They should implement this technology to the leadless pacemakers 😂 That will basically solve many problems with a single shot. We can just hope for the best 😌

advances in technology

by Tracey_E - 2023-06-08 20:50:56

When I was diagnosed in 1970, pacers were still brand new and not given out unless it was dire. Instead of being paced, I grew up with a lot of limitations since my heart rate was very low and did not go up. They weren't variable, they had a single rate. Then they got variable, then two lead so they could pace both chambers. And smaller, and longer lasting batteries, and rate response, and mobile apps and home remote monitors and mri safe. All of this is in my lifetime. Who knows where it will go next! A cure would be pretty cool. Pacers are a fix. 

This is also why I don't get too excited about one that will last forever. While it sucks having to have a replacement surgery, it also means we get the newest technology. I am a lot better off with the one I have now than my first one. 

Technology

by AgentX86 - 2023-06-08 23:54:19

Count me on Tracey's team.  Though I haven't been through it yet (two years left), I'd rather have the simple replacement every few years and get the latest wiz bangs.  I'd really like better rate response and I'm sure it'll get there sooner or later.

I'm also not thrilled by the leadless PMs.  I wouldn't be a candidate anyway (CRT).  Though I'm old enough that it wouldn't matter but fetching them back out isn't really proven. It looks tricky to me, though I'm sure this will progress too. I'm not afraid of technology (electrical engineer) but doing something because you can has never thrilled me. Leadless PMs seem to be a fix for a problem that isn't.