Cardiocapsule The world's smallest pacemaker successfully implanted

82-year-old receives the cardiocapsule
For the first time in Germany, doctors at the University Hospital Düsseldorf have implanted the world's smallest pacemaker in an 82-year-old patient. The so-called cardio-capsule requires no cables and can be used in a minimally invasive procedure. This makes pacemaker surgery much easier and less stressful for the patient.

Smallest pacemaker in the world is used by a minimally invasive procedure
Around five million people worldwide have a pacemaker because the organ gets out of step without support or beats too slowly, in Germany about 500,000 heart attack patients are affected. In the future, the cardiocapsule is increasingly being used in Germany, the world's smallest pacemaker. "This is a major step forward in the medical care of pacemaker patients," says Prof. Malte Kelm, Director of the Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology at the University Hospital of Dusseldorf. For the first time, doctors in Germany successfully used the cardiocapsule in an 82-year-old patient. According to the doctors, the operation survived the man well. In the same clinic, the first pacemaker in Germany was transplanted on October 9, 1961.

So far the smallest pacemaker implanted. Picture: pgottschalk / fotolia

The cardiocapsule offers many advantages. "For the patient, this means: A presumably lower risk of infection and no more scar under the collarbone due to the significantly less invasive implantation," explains Privatdozent Dr. med. Shin, Head of Rhythmology, together. "In particular, patients who find it difficult to access via the vein under the collarbone can benefit from this therapy." In addition, the small device, which measures only 26 millimeters in length and measures 6.7 millimeters in diameter, has a weight of only 1.75 grams, completely in the heart of the patient.

Smallest pacemaker in the world needs no cables
As part of a minimally invasive procedure, the cardiocapsule is guided through the inguinal veins into the right ventricle, where it is attached in the muscle tissue directly to the apex of the heart. The operation is very gentle and can therefore be carried out in older patients. Since no cut under the collarbone is necessary and thus no annoying scar is formed, the patients feel the procedure as a pleasant. In addition, the risk of wound infection is reduced. The recovery phase after the operation is comparatively short.

The cardiocapsule measures only one-tenth the size of conventional cardiac pacemakers. One of the biggest advantages of the mini device, however, is that it works without a cable. Because these are the weak point in conventional pacemakers, because they are exposed to the constant movement of the heart. With the Kardiokapel, however, the battery, the clock and the heart meter are integrated into the device. According to the manufacturer Medtronic holds the battery of the world's smallest pacemaker ten years. (Ag)