Sheba Has Been Accredited as an International Training Center for the Micra Pacemaker

Pacemakers are devices implanted in the body, usually by surgery, to support your heart’s electrical system and treat some abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that can cause your heart to either beat too slowly or miss beats. Some pacemakers can also help the chambers of your heart beat in sync. Typically, implanting a pacemaker in the chest requires a surgical procedure. However, almost two decades ago, Medtronic became the first company to obtain FDA approval for its leadless pacemaker. 

As opposed to traditional pacemakers, leadless pacemakers offer a minimally invasive approach, as no incisions are required for implantation or cardiac leads for therapy delivery. Rather, the leadless device is implanted through a vein in the groin using a simple venous catheterization, leaving no bump under the skin and no chest scar.

Micra Pacemaker vs Standard Pacemaker

A 2.5 cm capsule, the Micra pacemaker is 93% smaller than a standard pacemaker, marking a technological leap that demonstrates how medical device manufacturers constantly push the boundaries of miniaturization.

Currently, the device is available to patients with venous obstruction and others who cannot undergo pacemaker implantation with electrodes for technical or medical reasons. It is also suitable for patients with a high risk of infection from the implantation of a traditional pacemaker and without which they would be left without a medical solution, which may put them at high risk of significant complications.

In recent years, clinical studies involving thousands of patients who underwent Micra procedures, indicated that the procedure was associated with a significant reduction (60%) in infections and complications compared to standard pacemaker transplants.

Few medical centers worldwide are authorized to offer training on implanting the Micra pacemaker, including Sheba, which has recently been certified by Medtronic as an international Micra training center for arrhythmia specialists. Seven doctors from hospitals across Israel participated in Sheba’s first training program, which was led by Prof. Eyal Nof, Director of Sheba’s Invasive Electrophysiology Service.

“This project, the result of a collaboration with Medtronic, is part of that commitment. We will continue to provide the best possible care to our patients, using leading technologies such as Micra and other innovations.”