33-year-old receives first wireless pacemaker in Lanzarote
Doctors at the Dr José Molina Orosa University Hospital in Lanzarote have successfully implanted the island’s first wireless pacemaker in a 33-year-old woman.
This is a significant step forward in cardiac care for the Canary Islands.
The patient had been suffering from paroxysmal atrioventricular block, a heart condition that caused sudden blackouts due to irregular heart rhythms.
The groundbreaking procedure was carried out by Dr Carlos Vasquez and his team on 23rd May. The patient has since made a full recovery and no longer experiences the dangerous fainting episodes linked to her condition.
Unlike traditional pacemakers, which use leads and are placed under the skin, this new leadless device is a tiny cylindrical unit just 38mm long and weighing only 10 grams. It is inserted through the femoral vein using a catheter and anchored directly into the right ventricle of the heart. With a battery life of up to 15 years, it provides long-term heart rhythm regulation without the risks associated with wires or surgical pockets.
The minimally invasive nature of the procedure means a quicker recovery and a lower chance of complications such as infections or haematomas. Because the battery and electronics are built into the device itself, there is no need for external wiring.
Dr Vasquez highlighted how wireless pacemakers have transformed cardiac treatment by eliminating the need for internal wires and under-skin battery packs. He confirmed the patient is recovering well and praised the technology’s role in resolving her condition.
This type of pacemaker is especially suitable for patients with advanced atrioventricular block who require single-chamber ventricular pacing, as well as those at high risk of infection or with a history of complications from conventional pacemakers. It is also recommended for people with limited vascular access or recurrent infections.
Pablo Eguia, the director of Lanzarote’s health services, expressed his pride in the Hemodynamics Unit at Molina Orosa, noting that in under two years it has adopted cutting-edge technologies and treatments to care for cardiac patients across the island.
Share:
