Rishikesh, February 2, 2025
A 71-year-old man faced a life-threatening condition due to severe breathlessness and frequent dizziness. Despite visiting multiple hospitals for treatment, doctors found his age and the severity of his condition to be a major challenge. However, doctors at AIIMS Rishikesh successfully implanted a leadless pacemaker in his heart, not only saving his life but also setting a record as the first such surgery performed at AIIMS Rishikesh. The patient has now fully recovered and has been discharged.
The elderly patient from East Champaran, Bihar, arrived at AIIMS Rishikesh, where cardiology specialist Dr. Barun Kumar conducted various medical tests and diagnosed that the patient’s heart was not functioning properly, causing his heartbeat to slow down significantly. He suffered from repeated dizziness, fatigue, weakness, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
Dr. Barun stated that implanting a pacemaker was crucial to saving the patient’s life. Given his advanced age, performing such a surgery was an extremely risky decision.
After counseling the patient and his family, doctors recommended a leadless pacemaker, and on January 19, the device was successfully implanted in his heart. Dr. Barun mentioned that any delay in surgery could have led to changes in the patient’s mental alertness, unconsciousness, and even a risk of sudden cardiac death due to falling.
The Surgical Team
The surgery was performed by a team of doctors, including Dr. Barun Kumar, Dr. Kanika Kukreja, Dr. Kishan, Dr. Rupendra Nath Saha, and Dr. Akash from the cardiology department.
Benefits of a Leadless Pacemaker
- Lower risk of infection and complications as there are no leads.
- Minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery, ideal for single-chamber bradycardia patients.
- Smaller incision required.
- Long battery life (10-15 years).
- More versatile for patients requiring single or dual-chamber pacing.
- Requires only one small pocket under the skin for the pulse generator.
AIIMS Rishikesh’s Commitment to Advanced Cardiac Care
“The work of the cardiology department is commendable. Implanting a leadless pacemaker for heart patients with irregular heartbeats is a revolutionary treatment. Unlike traditional pacemakers, these compact devices are directly implanted into the heart. AIIMS Rishikesh also has a world-class Cath Lab equipped with advanced technology for better treatment of heart patients. Those suffering from heart diseases should take advantage of this facility at AIIMS.”
— Prof. Meenu Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS Rishikesh
