Manipal Hospitals Achieves Breakthrough in Cardiac Care with India’s First AI-Driven Wireless Injectable Pacemaker

04 December 2024 | News


Transforming Heart Health: Innovative Aveir Leadless Pacemaker Offers Safer, Longer-Lasting, and Minimally Invasive Solution for Patients in Eastern India.

Image Courtesy: Public Domain

Image Courtesy: Public Domain

Marking a transformative milestone in cardiac care, Manipal Hospitals, one of the largest healthcare networks in India announced the successful insertion of an AI-driven, wireless injectable pacemaker. The Aveir Leadless pacemaker by Abbott, recently introduced in India, was implanted in a 65-year-old woman at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, making it the first center in Eastern India to perform this procedure. The device, already in use in the US and Europe, offers a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional pacemakers. The second and third procedures in the region were also conducted at Medica Superspecialty Hospital (A unit of Manipal Hospitals) and Manipal, Mukundapur.

The event was attended by eminent cardiologists from Manipal Hospitals, including Dr. P.K. Hazra, Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee, Consultant Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, and Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab & Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (An unit of Manipal Hospitals) and Mr. Rajesh Pareekh, Unit Head at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria.

Weighing just 2.4 grams, the Aveir Leadless pacemaker uses nanotechnology to stay securely in the heart and lasts 20-25 years—three times longer than traditional pacemakers. Its non-magnetic design ensures compatibility with airport scanners, MRIs, and high-voltage currents, preserving daily functionality of the patient.

Dr. P.K. Hazra, Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria explained, "The non-rechargeable Aveir Leadless pacemaker offers a key advantage: it can be upgraded from a single to a dual-chamber configuration, efficiently managing the right atrium and ventricle. This pacemaker eliminates the need for invasive surgery and external wires, and features Bluetooth-enabled technology for remote monitoring and adjustments. Specialists worldwide can now montor the patient."

Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab & Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (An unit of Manipal Hospitals) stated, "While wireless pacemakers are not new, the previous models couldn't pace both chambers—the atrium and the ventricles. The pacemaker reduces the risks of hematoma formation, infections, lead dislodgement, and other lead-related issues."

Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, added, "This pacemaker is injected directly into the heart's right ventricle, eliminating the need for external wires and surgical pockets, which are the primary causes of infections in patients. This device is perfect for those with compromised immunity, skin issues, patients on dialysis or, blood thinners. The device's minimally invasive nature also makes it ideal for those concerned about scarring."

India is now the third country to adopt the USFDA and European-approved injectable pacemaker, offering a permanent solution to enhance patients' quality of life. Notably, the procedure can only be carried out by professionals with proper training and certification