Abbott has launched a new pacemaker in India designed to treat patients with slow heart rhythms. The company introduced the AVEIR VR single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemaker, which has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), according to a statement released on Friday. The device has also received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Ajay Singh Chauhan, General Manager for Abbott’s Cardiac Rhythm Management business in India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea, stated, “The AVEIR VR leadless pacemaker was designed to simplify the implantation and retrieval processes for physicians and offer advancements over existing options.”
Pacemakers are used to regulate slower-than-normal heart rhythms by delivering electrical pulses to ensure the heart beats correctly. Traditional pacemakers typically involve a chest incision, the creation of a pocket for the generator, and the use of insulated wires, or “leads,” to transmit electrical signals to the heart.
In contrast, leadless pacemakers, like the AVEIR VR, eliminate the need for a chest pocket or leads. Dr. Balbir Singh, Chairman of Cardiology at Max Superspeciality Hospital, emphasized, “Leadless pacemakers address complications often associated with traditional pacemakers.”
As reported by economictimes, Dr. Vanita Arora, Clinical Lead for Electrophysiology at Apollo Hospitals Delhi, highlighted the importance of retrievability in leadless pacemakers. “In situations where a patient’s therapy needs may evolve, having a retrievable device becomes a crucial feature,” she explained.