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Tiny Pacemakers Achieve "Centre of Excellence" Status
18 Oct
Summary
- Hospital recognized for pioneering leadless pacemaker implantation.
- Device is 93% smaller and weighs only two grams.
- Team trains specialists nationwide on the new technology.
Northampton General Hospital has achieved "centre of excellence" status for its pioneering work with leadless pacemakers. This distinction acknowledges the hospital's ten-year dedication to fitting these innovative devices and its commitment to training medical professionals across the UK. The award was bestowed by the manufacturer, Medtronic.
The leadless pacemaker is remarkably advanced, measuring 93% smaller than conventional devices and weighing just two grams. Its implantation is a swift procedure, typically taking about 20 minutes. Patients often cannot feel the device beneath their skin due to its minimal size.
Since 2016, Northampton General Hospital has implanted these devices in approximately 300 patients. In 2024, it became the first UK hospital trust to utilize the latest iteration of this technology. The hospital's consultant cardiologist, Dr. David Sharman, emphasized that this type of pacemaker represents the future of cardiac pacing and highlighted the team's efforts in training specialists nationwide.
