The innovative Medtronic pacemaker Micra was implanted for the first time in Israel at Sheba Medical Center. The procedure entailed inserting a straw-like catheter system to a vein near the upper thigh, dispensing with the surgical incision typically required when implanting a pacemaker.
“The procedure is a simple venous catheterization that’s much easier on the patient compared to the commonly practiced chest incision,” explains Prof. Eyal Nof, Director of the Invasive Electrophysiology Service at Sheba Medical Center. According to Nof, the innovative pacemaker has other advantages, including a decreased risk of infection and related morbidity.
Whereas until recently the use of the new Medtronic pacemaker was only suitable for around 15% of patients with pacing needs, a recent development allows Micra to synchronize the electrical activity of the atrium and ventricle, rendering it applicable to 60-70% of candidates for pacemaker implantation.
According to Roy Beinart, Director of Sheba’s Davidai Arrhythmia Center: “The advanced pacemaker is an important milestone that will allow us to provide hope and solace to countless patients, and improve their quality of life.” In keeping with Sheba’s commitment to medical innovation, Beinart added: “We will continue to lead the way in the development and implementation of advanced and groundbreaking treatments in order to impact the medicine of the future.”
