Iowa's first implant of a new leadless and retrievable pacemaker was performed at Des Moines-based MercyOne Iowa Heart Center.
Mohit Chawla, MD, implanted Abbott's Aveir VR leadless pacemaker — being called the world's only leadless pacemaker designed to be retrieved — in a patient on July 5.
The Aveir VR leadless pacemaker is implanted directly into the heart's right lower chamber using a minimally invasive procedure. The pacemaker's battery life is up to two times longer than existing leadless options, and it features mapping capability that allows clinicians to measure electric signals to assess the correct placement of the device before final fixation within the heart.
The pacemaker's software is designed to be updated to support dual-chamber pacing once that feature gains regulatory approval. MercyOne Iowa Heart Center is participating in a multicenter pivotal clinical study of the dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system.