Abbott Launches Novel Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker

Abbott launched AVEIR™ dual chamber (DR) leadless pacemaker system. This innovative device marks is the world's first dual chamber leadless pacing system designed to treat individuals with abnormal or slow heart rhythms.

The AVEIR DR devices utilise proprietary i2i communication technology to enable synchronised cardiac pacing between two leadless pacemakers, based on the patient's clinical requirements.

The i2i technology uses high-frequency pulses to transmit messages through the body's conductive blood, allowing each implanted pacemaker to communicate beat-to-beat with its paired device. This conductive communication is advantageous as it consumes far less battery current compared to other alternatives like inductive, radio frequency, or Bluetooth communication used in traditional pacemakers or other implantable medical devices.

The AVEIR pacemaker is smaller, shorter, and slimmer than a AAA battery. It is implanted through a minimally invasive procedure and attaches to the interior surface of the heart using a screw-in mechanism referred to a helix.

This helix allows for the device to be retrieved in the future if necessary, such as for therapy adjustments or device replacement. During the implantation procedure, physicians can use real-time pacing analysis provided by the AVEIR DR system to assess the proper placement of the device before it is implanted inside the heart chamber.

Previously, leadless pacemakers were limited to single-chamber devices due to the engineering challenges of wirelessly synchronising two pacemakers. However, the AVEIR pacemaker has overcome these challenges and offers a compact device equipped with advanced technology to address the complexities of treating abnormal heart rhythms.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for world’s first AVEIR™ dual chamber (DR) leadless pacemaker system.