KUALA LUMPUR: National Heart Institute (IJN) has achieved another milestone by becoming the first in Southeast Asia to successfully implant a pioneering extravascular implantable defibrillator (ICD) on Thursday (June 27).
The Aurora Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV-ICD), a first-of-its-kind device developed by Medtronic, provides hope for patients vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrests caused by abnormally fast heart rhythms.
In a statement on Thursday (June 27), IJN announced that the inaugural Aurora EV-ICD implant procedure was conducted by Datuk Dr Azlan Hussin, Clinical Director of Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices. The patient is currently recovering as expected.
"The Aurora EV-ICD system is designed to continuously monitor the heart’s rhythm and deliver a precisely timed electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm when necessary in patients at risk for sudden cardiac deaths," the statement read.
In addition to delivering life-saving defibrillation and anti-tachycardia pacing in a single implantable system, EV-ICD bypasses the traditional manner of ICD implantation, as it is implanted outside of the circulatory system, said the statement.
This unique feature provides advantages and offers an alternative option to selected patients who require an ICD but encounter barriers to conventional implantation methods.
Dr Azlan explained that this novel solution is an alternative to traditional defibrillator implantation techniques.
"Conventional ICDs usually have their leads run through the veins directly into the heart. However, EV-ICD has its lead positioned outside the heart and veins.
"This eliminates the risk of long-term complications we see with transvenous leads, such as blood infections.
"It also overcomes the challenges of vascular blockages preventing lead placement for selected patients who require the protection of an ICD, yet need to preserve vascular integrity," said Dr Azlan.
IJN stated that the device is integrated with Medtronic’s CareLink network, which enables healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ heart conditions and detect possible issues and complications from the onset.
"In a published study involving 356 patients at 46 hospitals worldwide, EV-ICD was shown to have a defibrillation success rate of 98.7%. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, also found that the device met safety goals by having no major system or procedural complications six months after the implant," it said.
Meanwhile, IJN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim said the institute has always been at the forefront of medical innovation, and the Aurora EV-ICD is a testament to that legacy.
"Today’s achievement further underscores the relentless commitment of our entire team to push the boundaries of what is possible," he said.
