Bay Medical Sacred Heart in Panama City is now using the world’s smallest pacemaker to help treat patients with lower-than-normal heart rates.
The Micra pacemaker is about the size of a large vitamin capsule and works wirelessly, so the process of placing the device is minimally invasive.
“Unlike pacemakers that are placed in the chest with leads running to the heart, the Micra is implanted directly into the heart through a vein in the leg – no leads needed,” said Dr. Nghia Hoang, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Bay Medical Sacred Heart. “This means no chest incision or scarring, so patients often have quicker recoveries and fewer complications compared to implanting more traditional pacemakers.”
The device is used for patients who have a standard heart rhythm that is slower than the typical 60 beats per minute, a condition known as bradycardia.
When the heart pumps too slowly, it deprives organs of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath or even fainting spells. Pacemakers help restore the heart's normal rhythm by sending electrical impulses to the heart to increase the heart rate. Devices like the Micra can also automatically adjust their settings based on a person’s activity levels.
