Muscat – The National Heart Centre at The Royal Hospital has achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone. A specialised team of doctors at the hospital has successfully performed a first-of-its-kind operation in the Middle East, implanting an Aveir leadless pacemaker using a minimally invasive catheter procedure.

Dr Najeeb bin Zahran al Rawahi, Senior Consultant of Interventional Electrocardiology at the National Heart Centre, headed the  groundbreaking operation. The procedure was performed on a patient with a life-threatening condition of frequent fainting and cardiac arrest episodes lasting up to five seconds.

The operation’s success was confirmed after the patient remained under observation for a day post-procedure. Regular follow-ups are scheduled every four to six months to monitor her progress.

Highlighting the procedure’s innovativeness, Dr Rawahi explained that it involved a small incision in the thigh, eliminating the need for general anaesthesia. “What makes this surgery remarkable is that it comes less than a month after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the device’s use for simultaneously regulating the atrium and ventricle. The operation took only 30  minutes, demonstrating its efficiency and ease,” he informed. 

The catheterisation method used is less invasive than traditional surgery and requires a significantly shorter recovery period, he added.

The Aveir leadless pacemaker functions by emitting electrical signals to regulate heartbeat. This technology is a significant adva-ncement in treating heart problems, as it improves overall heart function by regulating heartbeats in both ventricles and atria.

With a battery life of up to 20 years, the Aveir device reduces the need for frequent battery replacements. Once the battery life ends, the device can be easily removed and replaced via a catheter.

Dr Rawahi emphasised the Aveir pacemaker’s innovation in treating heart electrical issues, offering extended battery life and easy removal when necessary.