A New Type of Pacemaker
In Israel, a pacemaker has been implanted that maintains the natural rhythm of the heart.
Israeli surgeons have performed the implantation of a pacemaker for the first time, which directly connects to the bundle of His, an anatomical structure of the heart responsible for transmitting electrical impulses. This innovation is distinguished by its use of the heart's natural electrical system, thereby helping to avoid potential side effects that are characteristic of traditional pacemakers, particularly the reduction of heart function.
Pacemakers have long been used to treat patients with heart pathologies. A pacemaker is a device that stimulates the heart rhythm by exciting the myocardium. Pacemakers allow people to maintain a full life and extend their lifespan. However, they have some side effects associated with the fact that the heart rhythm is set by generating electrical impulses, without engaging the natural electrical impulse conduction system.
Natural Stimulation
The design of the new pacemaker is such that its electrode connects to the natural electrical conduction system of the heart, allowing heart contractions to occur in the most natural way.
The devices have been implanted in three patients suffering from heart rhythm pathologies. All three patients, aged between 50 and 80 years, feel great.
Professor Luria, a world-class cardiologist and electrophysiologist in the field of heart treatment and pacemaker implantation, states that the use of such a pacemaker has a bright future.
The professor explained that the implantation procedure itself was more complex and lengthy than that of a traditional pacemaker. However, the benefits that the innovation provides for maintaining patient health justify the efforts expended.
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The Future of the New Method
Professor Luria says: “When testing a conventional pacemaker, an unnatural rhythm was observed, which was set by an external electrical signal for the myocardium. This method, on the other hand, supports an almost ideal heart rhythm, making it difficult to determine that the heart is not functioning on its own, but with the help of a pacemaker. The new method of heart support has great prospects, for example, it helps avoid serious situations where a repeat implantation surgery is required to add a second electrode or switch to a bipolar configuration of the pacemaker.”