In the Piedmont PO of the IRCCS “Bonino Pulejo” Neurolesi Center in Messina, the implantation of the first wireless pacemaker was successfully carried out on a local patient. This type of device, known as a leadless pacemaker, had until now only been installed in a few hospitals in Sicily, but now the IRCCS Bonino Pulejo joins this list.
The General Director, Dr. Maurizio Lanza, expressed satisfaction with the addition of this innovative service, underlining that this eliminates the need for patients from Messina to go elsewhere for this type of operation and opens up the possibility of welcoming patients from other cities .
Dr. Piercataldo D’Aleo, head of the UOSD Cardiology with Utic of the Piedmont Hospital, illustrated the advantages of this intervention in the field of electrophysiology. In addition to the aesthetic improvement due to the absence of external equipment, he underlined the ease of replacing the device, an important aspect for young patients and athletes, as well as the reduction in the risk of infections.
The operation was performed by Dr. Giuseppe Picciolo, Cardiologist at the hospital, who explained that the wireless pacemaker is a miniaturized device that regulates the heartbeat without the use of external leads, thus reducing the complications associated with traditional implants . The device, approximately 10 times smaller than a standard pacemaker, is positioned in the right ventricular cavity through a minimally invasive procedure, without scars and with local anesthesia.
Implantation occurs via a cannula from the groin, with a transcutaneous approach, and battery life is expected to be over 17 years. If necessary, the wireless pacemaker can be combined with an atrial pacemaker for synergistic operation.
In the operating room, in addition to the cardiologists Picciolo and La Rosa, the staff of the Anesthesia and Resuscitation Unit were present, represented by Dr. Liliana Bonanzinga and the operating room nurse Dr. Melania Musicò, guaranteeing a safe and efficient intervention .
