MarinHealth Medical Center Becomes First Hospital in Northern California to Successfully Implant AVEIRtm DR, the World's First Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker System

MarinHealth Medical Center today announced the successful implantation of an AVEIRtm DR pacemaker system, becoming the first hospital in Northern California to insert the world's first dual chamber leadless pacemaker system. The groundbreaking system, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2023, provides MarinHealth physicians with a new and minimally invasive option to treat the nearly 80% of pacemaker recipients who require pacing of the heart in two chambers of the heart (both the right atrium and right ventricle).

"MarinHealth is proud to be at the forefront in the clinical care of heart rhythm disorders. For example, in the field of atrial fibrillation, we recently completed clinical trials of pulsed field ablation, providing our patients with proficient treatment with the newest ablation technology. For the prevention of strokes related to atrial fibrillation, we remain home to the largest percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion program in the Bay Area. Now, we are excited to become the first center in Northern California to offer dual chamber leadless pacemaker technology, which provides yet another state-of-the-art solution for heart rhythm patients in our community," said Anita Chandrasena, MD, Chief Medical Officer of MarinHealth.

Unlike traditional pacemakers, leadless devices are small capsules that entirely reside within the heart chamber and are implanted with a needle inserted in the leg via a tube roughly the size of a drinking straw. Roughly one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker, the dual chamber AVEIR leadless pacing system is made up of two devices: a ventricular (VR) and an atrial (AR) leadless pacemaker. The system incorporates a novel implant-to-implant or "i2i" technology, which solves the significant engineering challenge of communication between the two devices. The i2i system sends high-frequency pulses to relay messages via the blood pool's naturally conductive characteristics, dramatically reducing energy requirements compared to existing technologies and extending device battery life.

"Leadless pacemaker technology, especially with dual chamber capability, is the most exciting recent advance in the pacemaker field," said Vivek Iyer, MD, Director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology program at MarinHealth, who successfully performed the procedure. "Traditional pacing leads are well-constructed, but they can fail. Consider that the metal wire inside the traditional lead flexes with each heartbeat about 100,000 times a day. Though oversimplified, that's like repeatedly bending a very resilient paper clip. Though problems occur in a small percent of patients, physically active and younger patients are particularly at risk of that internal wire fracturing at some point in their lifetime."

"Furthermore, since this procedure, amazingly, requires no skin incision or pocket to place a battery in the shoulder area, healing can also be smoother," Dr. Iyer added. "So older patients, and those at risk of infection, such as dialysis patients or those on immunosuppression, also benefit from leadless pacemakers. We are excited about where this technology is and where it might take us."

If you or someone you know wish to learn more about pacemakers or leadless pacemaker technology, talk to a doctor at the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute to see your treatment options. Visit https://www.mymarinhealth.org/programs-services/cardiovascular-medicine/electrophysiology/.

About MarinHealth

MarinHealth is an integrated healthcare enterprise with deep roots in the North Bay. With a world-class physician and clinical team, an ever-expanding network of clinics, and a new state-of-the-art hospital, MarinHealth stops at nothing to help patients achieve their best health. MarinHealth is comprised of MarinHealth Medical Center, a 327-bed hospital located in the heart of Marin since 1952, the MarinHealth Medical Network with 55+ primary care and specialty clinics located in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, and the MarinHealth Foundation, an organization whose mission is to inspire philanthropy for the benefit of MarinHealth. A long-term partnership with UCSF expands MarinHealth's world-class capabilities and its portfolio of services to serve more of our North Bay community in new and better ways. For more information, visit MyMarinHealth.org.

For important U.S. safety information on AVEIRtm DR, visit https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/us/en/customer-service.html.