First in Southeast Asia! Institut Jantung Negara Implant Revotionary Dual-Chamber Leadless Pacemaker

Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most advanced heart hospitals continues to raise the bar in cardiac electrophysiology, advancing patient care through World Class innovation. IJN has made medical history by becoming the first centre in Southeast Asia to successfully implant the world's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system, the Abbott's AVEIRTM DR.

From left to right: Datuk Dr Azlan Husin, Clinical Director Interventional Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices; Senior Consultant Cardiologist; Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahya,

Chief Clinical Officer, Senior Consultant Cardiologist; Prof Dato Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Group Chief Executive Officer, IJN

Approved by the FDA in June 2023, AVEIR DR provides an innovative option to treat patients that suffer slow or irregular heart rhythms.

"IJN continues to set new standards for heart care in Malaysia and beyond. This new groundbreaking dual chamber leadless pacemaker will revolutionize care for our current patients and create a significant opportunity to expand the number of people we can serve. By eliminating traditional wires (leads) and surgical pockets, this leadless system significantly reduces the risk of complications such as infections, lead dislodgement, or vessel occlusion" said Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director — Interventional Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices

For decades, pacemaker technology remained fundamentally unchanged due to the challenge of achieving seamless dual-chamber communication without leads. AVEIRTM DR change that by enabling more natural heart rhythm synchrony and improves quality of life, especially for patients at higher risk from conventional systems.

Designed for patients with slow or abnormal heart rhythms, AVEIRTM DR represents a major leap in cardiac pacing technology. Unlike traditional pacemakers, which are placed under the skin with insulated leads extending to the heart, the AVEIRTM DR system uses two miniaturized pacemakers, each roughly one-tenth the size of conventional devices, implanted directly into the heart's right atrium and ventricle.

At the core of this system is Abbott's proprietary 121TM (implant-to-implant) communication technology, which enables real-time, wireless synchronization between the two devices using high-frequency pulses conducted through the body's blood flow. This technology not only enables beat-to-beat coordination but also extends device longevity by consuming significantly less battery power than traditional wireless methods such as Bluetooth® or radio-frequency signals.

Dr Azlan said that "This new technology opens up new possibilities for people with abnormal heart rhythms. The AVEIRTM DR system is also designed to provide real-time pacing analysis, allowing physicians to verify proper placement of the device during the procedure before implantation into the heart chamber," added Dr Azlan. "This innovation directly addresses the needs of patients with bradycardia and enhances quality of life through a fully leadless solution."

To date, 18 patients have received the new devide, with the first implantation conducted on May 27. This milestone builds on IJN's decade-long experience with leadless pacemaker technology, during which nearly 900 patients have undergone procedures involving wireless pacemakers.

“At IJN, innovation isn’t just about introducing new technology, it’s about creating real, meaningful impact. The AVEIR™ DR implantation marks a leap forward in cardiac care and reinforces our role as a regional leader,” shared IJN CEO, Dr Ezani Taib.

The AVEIR™ DR system, designed for patients with slow or irregular heart rhythms, marks a major breakthrough in cardiac pacing.

Unlike traditional pacemakers, Abbott's AVEIRTM DR system consists of two miniaturised devices, each one-tenth the size of conventional models, implanted directly into the heart’s right atrium and ventricle. As the world’s first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker, it provides synchronised, beat-to-beat pacing without the risks associated with leads. The system features a minimally invasive design, long-term retrievability, and future-ready adaptability.

In 2018, IJN made history as the first hospital outside the US to implant the world’s smallest pacemaker, the Micra AV. Through its relentless pursuit of excellence, IJN continues to set new benchmarks in cardiovascular care throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

IJN

Address: 145, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Website: www.ijn.com.my

For appointment, please call telephone: (+603) 2617 8844