Advances in cardiac pacemaker systems: Leadless and extracardiac pacing

Permanent transvenous pacemaker therapy is an essential treatment option in patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, but harbors a concomitant risk of serious complications. As most complications are lead- or pocket-related, intracardiac leadless pacemaker therapy has the potential to positively impact patient outcome. Since the first leadless pacemaker implant in 2012, studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and applicability of this pacing approach. The first-generation leadless pacemakers are a promising innovation that provide safe and efficient single-chamber pacing therapy without the use of transvenous pacemaker leads. Yet, broad implementation of this technology is hampered by limitations of the current leadless device and further studies are required.
The dissertation entitled Advances In Cardiac Pacemaker Systems - Leadless And Extracardiac Pacing will cover the current status of the leadless pacemaker technology. The current area of indication, outcomes, and challenges of the pacemaker therapy will be evaluated. Furthermore, future perspectives for its clinical practice will be discussed. Lastly, a minimally invasive extracardiac temporary pacing system will be introduced.