New leadless pacemaker option for AFib patients now available at Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcare has become the first hospital in Delaware to offer the AVEIR® DR Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker. (Photo courtesy of Beebe Healthcare.)

Beebe Healthcare has become the first hospital in Delaware to offer the AVEIR® DR Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker, a newly available option for certain patients with atrial fibrillation who require pacing in both the right atrium and right ventricle.

The first implant of the device at Beebe was completed Wednesday, Feb. 4, by a multidisciplinary cardiac care team. The procedure was led by Mouhanad Freih, MD, FACC, FCSI, an interventional cardiologist and leader of Beebe’s Cardiovascular Institute, with support from Maria Del Corral, MD, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist specializing in heart rhythm disorders.

The AVEIR DR system differs from traditional pacemakers by eliminating the need for cardiac leads, or wires, that are attached to the heart. Instead, two miniature pacemakers are implanted directly into the heart using a minimally invasive approach — one in the right ventricle and one in the right atrium. The devices communicate with each other on a beat-to-beat basis using technology developed by Abbott, the system’s manufacturer.

Because the pacemaker is leadless, patients may experience a shorter recovery period, fewer activity restrictions and a reduced risk of complications compared to traditional pacemaker systems, according to Beebe officials.

“So many patients will benefit from the availability of the AVEIR DR pacemaker at Beebe, and the fact that we are the first in Delaware to offer it speaks volumes about the level of advanced, evidence-based care available right here in Sussex County,” said Dr. Freih. “We are on a mission to bring the best in healthcare to our community, and this new service offering underscores that commitment.”

Dr. Del Corral said the addition of the technology expands treatment options for patients with complex heart rhythm conditions and highlights collaboration among Beebe’s cardiac specialists.

“We take a lot of pride in the fact that we are offering the latest and most advanced treatment options for patients who are diagnosed with complex cardiac conditions, right here at Beebe,” said Dr. Del Corral. “The availability of this procedure also underscores our commitment to clinical collaboration. It brings a team of skilled and trained cardiac specialists together, providing patients with a solution that improves the functionality of their hearts while also minimizing disruption to their daily lives, long-term. This level of innovation is important as cardiac care continues to advance, and we are proud to be at the forefront.”

Another feature of the AVEIR DR system is its ability to be retrieved or removed if a patient’s condition or treatment needs change over time, a factor physicians say can be important for long-term care planning.

“It is important that we have the right tools and technologies in place to care for patients and address their medical needs, while also being thoughtful about long-term benefits, risks, and impact,” said Paul Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP, senior vice president and chief physician executive at Beebe. “Single-chamber ventricular devices can present some patients with elevated challenges, so we are thrilled to now have this first-of-its-kind technology available. It will streamline the process of care and simplify things greatly for patients who require pacing long-term.”

Beebe officials said the device was introduced locally during AFib Awareness Month in September and highlighted again during American Heart Month as part of the hospital’s ongoing expansion of cardiac services.