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What are Leadless Pacemakers  Electrophysiologist, discusses what a leadless pacemaker is and how it can offer benefits over conventional pacemakers.
Electrophysiologist, discusses what a leadless pacemaker is and how it can offer benefits over conventional pacemakers.
Featuring Dr. Bernice Tsang, MD, FRCPC, Electrophysiologist
Duration: 1 minute, 31 seconds
There are two different kinds of pacemakers. Pacemakers that sit under the skin and have one, or up to three wires that go through a vein into the chambers of the heart. And there are pacemakers that have no wires, that go up through the groin and are tethered into the heart tissue but have no leads.
Leadless pacemakers are placed through a tube that’s placed in the groin under local anesthetic. There is a catheter much like a fishing rod that is placed through that tube. The leadless pacemaker is at the end of that catheter, and there are tines at the end of the pacemaker.
The tines then attach to the tissue of the heart. The pacemaker is then set free, much like a fish on a fishing wire. The wires are let out, the pacemaker is checked and then the fishing line is cut to let the pacemaker free. Then the catheter is withdrawn and the tube is taken out.
This is also a day procedure. Leadless pacemakers, unlike pacemakers that are placed with wires in the heart, have potential benefits. This may be a lower risk of infection, there is no incision or sutures.
Presenter: Dr. Bernice Tsang, Electrophysiologist, Newmarket, ON
Local Practitioners: Electrophysiologist
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This content is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.