Suvi Kaplasi
Introduction
World´s smallest cardiac pacemaker for bradyarrhythmia management. I choose this topic, because i´m interested in following what new devices and treatmens are being invented. The trend today is that everything gets smaller, faster and perhaps more versatile. I think that heart is the most amazing organ in human body. It´s interesting to find out how doctors and surgeons nowadays are cabaple of fixing heart problems and what that future brings to us.
How does it work?
Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) is the world´s smallest pacemaker, delivered percutaneously via a minimally invasive approach, directly into the right ventricle without the use of leads.
A pacemaker is designed to mimic the heart´s natural pacemaker, the sinus node. The pacemaker has two main purposes; pacing and sensing. A pacemaker will send an electrical impulse to the heart when the heart´s own rhythm is too slow or is interrupted. This electrical impulse starts a heartbeat. A pacemaker will also sense the heart´s natural electrical activity. When the pacemaker senses a natural heartbeat, it will not deliver a pacing pulse.
Usability and safety
The Micra transcatheter pacing system is 93% smaller than traditional pacemakers. It is the size of a large vitamin capsule. It has a battery that lasts as long as a traditional pacemaker. Differently to a standard pa cemaker, Micra is implanted into the heart through a vein in your leg and does not require a lead. The Micra device´s miniaturized size and minimally invasive approach leaves no visible sign of a medical device under the skin. This can mean fewer post-implant activity restrictions and no obstructions to shoulder movement. Micra TPS is intended for patients who need a single chamber pacemaker.
MRI safety: MRI can put pacemaker patients at risk. Patient MRI safety must be proven by rigorous scientific testing and regulatory review. Micra is FDA approved for 1.5T and 3T MRI scans under specific conditions for use.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved in a heart device implant and results may vary.
Future views
The cost to treat heart failure is expected to increase more than two-fold from 2012 to 2030, Innovations aimed to help rein in costs of the most expensive disease in healthcare today are needed. One way to help matters and to reduce hospital readmissions for heart patients, is to innovate devices that requires fewer post-implant mesures.
References
Medtronic 2017. <http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/healthcare-professionals/products/cardiac-rhythm/pacemakers/micra-pacing-system/indications-safety-warnings.html>.
Medtronic 2017. <http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pacemakers.html>.
Medtronic 2017. <http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/healthcare-professionals/products/cardiac-rhythm/pacemakers/micra-pacing-system/mri-safety.html>.