Our Hospital Becomes the First Certified Micra Leadless Pacemaker Independent Operator in Rizhao

Recently, Dr. Gao Tingwen, a cardiovascular specialist at Rizhao Hospital Affiliated to  Qingdao University/Rizhao International Heart Hospital, earned global certification as an independent operator of the Micra leadless pacemaker. Our hospital is now the first in Rizhao to receive this global certification, marking a significant step in keeping pace with the latest advancements in pacing and electrophysiology technology both domestically and internationally. This achievement reflects our hospital’s cutting-edge status in China and brings a higher quality of care to arrhythmia patients, benefiting more individuals.

The Micra leadless pacemaker is one of the most advanced pacing technologies available worldwide, offering patients a more precise, safe, efficient, and comfortable treatment option. The success and safety of leadless pacemaker implantation are directly related to the operator’s skills and experience. Therefore, in addition to possessing advanced interventional and cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) expertise, the operator must also undergo formal training in leadless pacemaker implantation.

Under the leadership of Dr. Xie Xinxing, Director of the Cardiovascular Department, the pacing and electrophysiology team has consistently deepened their professional expertise, striving to provide arrhythmia patients with the most specialized and precise medical technology and services. Since completing the first leadless pacemaker implantation in October 2020, the hospital has entered a new chapter in“wireless, minimally invasive”pacemaker treatment.

Advantages of the Leadless Pacemaker

As China rapidly enters an aging society, the incidence of bradycardia and other arrhythmias continues to rise. Patients with bradycardia often struggle with symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and even blackouts, as the heart cannot pump enough blood during daily activities or physical exertion. In severe cases, bradycardia can lead to sudden death. Pacemaker implantation is the international gold standard for treating bradycardia.

The Micra leadless pacemaker, also known as the “capsule pacemaker,” is the world’s smallest and lightest pacemaker, weighing just 2 grams. Despite its small, capsule-like size, it integrates the most advanced pacing technology components available today. Compared to traditional pacemakers, the leadless pacemaker offers the following clinical advantages:

1. Longer Lifespan: When ideal pacing parameters are achieved, the Micra leadless pacemaker generally lasts for 10-12 years. Unlike traditional pacemakers, it does not require leads, eliminating the risks of pocket infections and lead wear or displacement.

2. Minimally Invasive: Traditional pacemaker implants often require a 3 cm incision on the patient’s chest, whereas this pacemaker is inserted directly into the heart through the femoral vein, leaving no scars or incisions. Patients barely feel the device, experience no activity restrictions, and face significantly reduced risks of complications.

3. MRI Compatibility: Micra is MRI-compatible, making it suitable for patients with occluded axillary, subclavian, or superior vena cava veins. It is ideal for elderly patients, those with multiple comorbidities, skin conditions, or compromised immunity who are at high risk of pocket infections, providing stable and continuous cardiac function.

4. Safer for Anticoagulation Patients: As more pacemaker patients require anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, the Micra leadless pacemaker offers a safer option, particularly for those recently receiving coronary stents, undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, or with implanted mechanical heart valves. The absence of a pocket reduces surgical risks for these patients.

Our Pacing and Electrophysiology Team Ensures Your Heart Health

To provide specialized care for arrhythmia patients, our hospital established the region’s first atrial fibrillation specialty clinic. Additionally, to facilitate post-pacemaker implantation programming and follow-up care, we have launched the city’s first pacemaker programming and follow-up clinic, offering comprehensive, standardized, and long-term diagnostic and treatment services.

If you have any arrhythmia-related issues, you can visit our clinic in Room 7, 2nd Floor, for systematic and convenient care. 

Under the leadership of Dr. Xie Xinxing, our pacing and electrophysiology team has successfully performed hundreds of pacemaker implantations, including permanent pacemaker insertion, leadless pacemaker implantation, left bundle branch pacing, lead extraction, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D), LOT-CRTD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) insertion, and CCM implantation. Our department is also a national leader in physiological pacing, three-dimensional mapping for catheter ablation of arrhythmias, and more.

Looking ahead, the cardiovascular pacing and electrophysiology team will continue to improve medical service standards, focusing on advanced, high-precision technologies to provide precise and effective treatment for arrhythmia patients in Rizhao and surrounding areas. We are dedicated to contributing to the “Healthy Rizhao” initiative with new innovations in heart care.