Electrophysiologists at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin recently became the first in the U.S. to implant an FDA-approved leadless system for cardiac resynchronization therapy, according to a July 21 press release.
The procedure was completed by Robert Canby, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at TCAI. The new system delivers electrical stimulation to the left ventricle using a device about the size of a grain of rice, converting ultrasound energy into electrical pulses to help restore normal heart rhythm and improve pumping efficiency.
Unlike traditional CRT systems that require insulated leads, the leadless approach enables more flexible placement and may benefit patients previously considered untreatable, according to the release.
