Abbott’s leadless pacemaker now on Prescribed List

Abbott’s single chamber transcatheter leadless pacemaker is now listed on the Prescribed List (PL), broadening its access to privately insured patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

The Aveir leadless pacemaker has been referred to as the longest-lasting leadless pacemaker currently available in Australia. It incorporates a mapping capability that aids clinicians in device placement and is designed for safe removal if future treatment adjustments are required.

Initially, leadless pacemakers were offered to patients over 70 as they are less likely to require replacement in their lifetime. Also, older patients are more vulnerable to infection, making the reduced infection risk of a leadless pacemaker especially suitable for them.

However, younger patients can face lead complications from activities like rowing and chin-ups due to the collarbone striking the leads, so a leadless pacemaker with extended battery life is a valuable alternative.

A recent comparison of procedure-related adverse events between Medtronic Micra VR and Abbott Aveir VR leadless pacemakers showed that “they have similar procedural safety profiles, including the incidences of death and perforation. However, device issues differed significantly, possibly related to their design differences. Compared to Micra VR, Aveir VR appears to have an advantageous threshold measurement capability but is more prone to device dislodgement.”

In related news, Associate Professor Michael Wong, an Epworth cardiologist, recently implanted Victoria’s first Aveir dual chamber leadless pacemaker technology and secured a $98,000 research grant to expand access to the device for patients undergoing heart surgery.

The lead-free device offers the clinical benefits of a traditional dual chamber pacemaker, while reducing the chance of pocket and lead-related complications, such as infection, lead insulation problems, blood vessel narrowing/scarring or clots, skin erosion and keloid scarring. There is also no restrictive arm movement after implantation.

A member of the Epworth HealthCare Cardiac Sciences Clinical Institute, A/Professor Wong is one of a handful of specialists around Australia and the first in Victoria qualified to teach other specialists to implant this technology.

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