Innovative leadless pacemaker allows teen to dance again
Sapphire is a kind, rule-following 16-year-old girl who loves to sing and dance. So when she started experiencing painful hiccups and difficulty sleeping, Sapphire’s mother, Mimi Lee, knew something was wrong.
Sapphire has faced significant health challenges since birth. She has Down syndrome and was born with a hole in her heart, called a ventricular septal defect. That affects the direction her blood flows from her heart, allowing extra blood to flow into her lungs. Heart defects like this can lead to arrhythmia and heart failure.
Sapphire had surgery at 4 months old to repair her heart, which was complicated by an injury of the natural pacemaker of her heart, called sinus node dysfunction. Then at age 9, she developed worsening symptoms associated with low heart rates and had her first pacemaker implanted. With it, her heart functioned well for more than five years.
Earlier this year, Sapphire's pacemaker’s battery ran out. She got a new pacemaker, but shortly after the new device was implanted in March, Sapphire experienced painful jumping sensations in her chest. She went to the emergency room multiple times.
“Even after adjusting the device settings, her symptoms didn’t improve. It appeared that one of the pacemaker leads was interacting with nearby nerves, causing discomfort,” said Erick Jimenez, MD, medical director of pediatric cardiac electrophysiology with M Health Fairview Pediatrics and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Jimenez carefully evaluated Sapphire’s case and after reviewing the available options, he proposed something new: a leadless pacemaker. The device, which is smaller than an AAA battery, would be inserted via a catheter through a vein. The minimally invasive procedure wouldn’t require a chest incision or visible device pocket. The device Jimenez liked for Sapphire, AVEIR™ AR leadless pacemaker made by Abbott, is relatively new and has been used primarily in adults, with very limited experience in pediatric patients. In fact, this would be the first time the device was implanted in a pediatric patient in the Midwest.
The small device and minimally invasive implantation procedures offers many advantages to pediatric patients. It reduces the risk of common long-term complications, such as lead issues, infections, and vessel obstructions. The minimally invasive implantation allows for quicker recovery, fewer activity restrictions, and doesn’t leave a scar. Overall, this system can contribute to a better quality of life, Jimenez said.
Sapphire did beautifully with the procedure. She stayed one night in the hospital and only had minimal pain. She was up dancing the next day. Having watched Sapphire go through multiple surgeries, Mimi noticed the difference in Sapphire’s recovery immediately.
M Health Fairview Pediatric Heart Center is home to Minnesota’s largest group of pediatric heart experts. The affiliation with the University of Minnesota Medical School means your child gets access to innovative medical care and compassionate healthcare providers.
“I’m grateful to our entire electrophysiology team and the leadership of the Heart Center for their support in making this possible,” Jimenez said. “This achievement showcases our commitment to innovation, advances pediatric cardiac care, and reaffirms our position as a leading institution in the region.”
