Data from the World’s Smallest Pacemaker
October 18, 2016 | Terry Sharrer
Medtronic has released data from the clinical trial of its Micra Transcather Pacing System—i.e. a pacemaker only one-tenth the size of the traditional device, and without leads (attaches directly to the heart). The overall results were: “a 47 percent decrease (p=0.017) in the risk of hospitalization and 82 percent (p<0.001) reduction in risk of system revisions (meaning extraction, repositioning or replacement) compared to conventional pacing systems. These reductions were largely due to the elimination of complications such as pneumothoraces (air between the lungs and chest wall), the absence of Micra dislodgements and device infections.” Its battery life supposedly lasts more than 12 years. MORE
Image Credit: Medtronic