HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital completed dual chamber leadless pacemaker procedure

Sanford, Fla. – HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Florida Healthcare, announced it has completed its first dual chamber leadless pacemaker procedure. This technology is the newest option for patients with irregular heart rhythms and has the flexibility to tailor to each patient’s needs as they need it. The procedure includes placing an atrial leadless pacemaker and a ventricular leadless pacemaker that have an implant-to-implant communication technology, allowing the devices to work together to provide synchrony. The pacemaker was implanted by HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital’s Electrophysiology Medical Director, Dr. Jorge Diaz. 

“We are proud to provide Seminole County’s highest level of cardiac care,” said John Gerhold, CEO of HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital. “We are committed to implementing the newest technology to continue to provide the best care to our community. This impressive procedure means patients have more options when it comes to their care, and more patients can benefit from leadless pacemakers than ever before.” 

When the natural pacemaker within the heart is not working properly, the atrium and ventricles may not beat in sync, and a heart block can occur. A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that monitors the heart. If either the atria or ventricles are beating too slowly, the pacemaker sends tiny electrical signals to return the heart rhythm within a normal range.  Leadless pacemakers have no need for connecting wires to a separate power source, removing many complications of the traditional pacemaker device. More than 80% of people who need a pacemaker require pacing in two chambers of the heart. Until recently, leadless pacemakers could be done only in the right ventricle, making it useful for a smaller percentage of patients in need.

The AVEIR™ DR Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker System is the first of its kind. The device is 10 times smaller than a traditional pacemaker and is inserted through the groin using a small tube. The minimally invasive procedure does not use a chest incision, reducing recovery time for patients and allowing them to return to their normal activities sooner.