Leadless cardiac pacing: What primary care providers and non-EP cardiologists should know.

Abstract

Over the last 50 years, the use of transvenous pacemakers has been constrained by long-term complications that affect more than 1 in 10 patients, largely attributable to the endovascular leads and surgical pocket. Leadless cardiac pacing involves a self-contained pacemaker deployed directly into the heart without a lead or incisional access. The procedure has shown promise, eliminating pocket-related complications. Other advantages include postprocedural shoulder mobility and the ability to drive, shower, and bathe. Current devices are limited to single-chamber ventricular pacing. Future advances may allow atrial and dual-chamber pacing and combination with a subcutaneous defibrillator to deliver antitachycardia pacing and provide bradycardia backup.