The first patients at Homolka received a two-cavity pacemaker

The dual-cavity pacemaker system, which is implanted in both the ventricle and atrium of the heart, was developed by pharmaceutical company Abbott. The new technology was introduced on 3 February by a team of cardiologists led by Prof. Petr Neuzil in collaboration with Dr. Vivek Reddy from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York as part of an ongoing world-first study. It has now been implanted in 22 patients.

Evolution of wireless pacemakers

A pacemaker, or pacemaker, is a miniature device that is used to adjust the heart rhythm. Leadless pacemakers began to be implanted in 2012 (the first implantations were performed by Prof. Neuzil's team at Na Homolce Hospital) and, unlike traditional pacemakers, they are implanted directly into the heart without electrodes and using a minimally invasive catheter. For patients, this procedure represents greater comfort and less risk of complications, yet it is still limited to single-cavity pacing (either inserted into the right ventricle or the right atrium). Synchronisation of the two electrodeless pacemakers has only been achieved through the development of new technology, which is undergoing clinical trials. Despite the excellent results with single-cavity - i.e. right ventricular - pacing, dual-cavity pacing represents another very important "evolutionary" step that will allow almost all patients with an indication for permanent pacing to be paced with a leadless pacemaker. Indeed, two-minute (physiological) pacing in the form of leadless pacing will bring completely new possibilities in the invasive treatment of rhythm disorders for patients with rhythm disorders.

World premiere at Homolka

"Involving the cardiology department of Na Homolce Hospital in such an important study is a logical step. In 2012, we were the first department in the world to implant a wireless pacemaker in the right ventricle. We are very proud that we were able to perform this procedure in a world premiere. I see it as a confirmation of the high level of the entire Czech cardiology. We firmly believe that the two-cavity leadless pacing will soon become a common clinical practice," comments Prof. Petr Neužil, MD, CSc.,FESC.

About the technology

The Abbott AveirTM DR pacemaker is a two-cavity pacemaker that includes two implantable elements - pacing "capsules." The all-new "i2i" (implant-to-implant) communication technology allows the atrial and ventricular devices to communicate with each other with virtually 100% effect. It is not yet intended for commercial use.