Approved by the FDA, the Micra™ transcatheter pacing system is the world’s smallest pacemaker and is now available at Penn Medicine for select patients. Micra is single-chamber pacemaker that is about the size of a vitamin and can be implanted directly into the heart, eliminating the need for the leads to also be implanted.
The minimally invasive procedure allows electrophysiologists to implant the pacemaker through a catheter in the leg so no chest incision is needed. In addition to the cosmetic benefits, this helps reduce complications such as infections.
For patients with:
- Paroxysmal or permanent high grade AV block in the presence of A-Fib.
- Paroxysmal or permanent high grade AV block in the absence of A-Fib, as an alternative to dual chamber pacing when atrial lead placement is considered difficult, high risk, or not deemed necessary for effective therapy.
- Bradycardia is a common arrhythmia disorder defined as a slow heartbeat or a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
Benefits of Micra™ transcatheter pacing system (TPS)
- Less invasive — Micra is placed in the heart via a vein in the leg, with no chest incision, scar, or bump that results from conventional pacemakers.
- Self-contained — Micra is completely self-contained within the heart. It eliminates potential medical complications arising from a chest incision and from wires running from a conventional pacemaker into the heart.
- Small — Micra is smaller than conventional pacemakers.
The Micra design allows you to safely undergo MRI's, adjusts your heart rate automatically by sensing changes in your body related to activity levels and features an estimated battery life of 12 years.
Penn Heart and Vascular were one of the first in the region to implant the Micra transcatheter leadless pacing system. To find out if Micra is right for you, schedule a consultation with an electrophysiologist today.