Sanford, Fla. – HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Florida Healthcare, announced it has completed its first dual chamber leadless pacemaker procedure. This technology is the newest option for patients with irregular heart rhythms and has the flexibility to tailor to each patient’s needs as they need it. The procedure includes placing an atrial leadless pacemaker and a ventricular leadless pacemaker that have an implant-to-implant communication technology, allowing the devices to work together to provide synchrony. The pacemaker was implanted by HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital’s Electrophysiology Medical Director, Dr. Jorge Diaz.
“We are proud to provide Seminole County’s highest level of cardiac care,” said John Gerhold, CEO of HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital. “We are committed to implementing the newest technology to continue to provide the best care to our community. This impressive procedure means patients have more options when it comes to their care, and more patients can benefit from leadless pacemakers than ever before.”
When the natural pacemaker within the heart is not working properly, the atrium and ventricles may not beat in sync, and a heart block can occur. A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that monitors the heart. If either the atria or ventricles are beating too slowly, the pacemaker sends tiny electrical signals to return the heart rhythm within a normal range. Leadless pacemakers have no need for connecting wires to a separate power source, removing many complications of the traditional pacemaker device. More than 80% of people who need a pacemaker require pacing in two chambers of the heart. Until recently, leadless pacemakers could be done only in the right ventricle, making it useful for a smaller percentage of patients in need.
The AVEIR™ DR Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker System is the first of its kind. The device is 10 times smaller than a traditional pacemaker and is inserted through the groin using a small tube. The minimally invasive procedure does not use a chest incision, reducing recovery time for patients and allowing them to return to their normal activities sooner.
About HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital
HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, a 221-bed acute care hospital, Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center serves the communities of Seminole, west Volusia and Lake counties. The hospital provides the only full-service cardiovascular program in Seminole and west Volusia, including open heart surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac rehabilitation and comprehensive diagnostic services. Other specialized services include orthopedic and spine care, robotic surgery, acute inpatient medical rehabilitation and complete imaging services. HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital is located 3.6 miles east of I-4 between S.R. 46 and Highway 17-92 in Sanford. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency care at its main location as well as at HCA Florida Heathrow Emergency located at 4525 International Parkway in Sanford, HCA Florida Mount Dora Emergency located at 16831 US-441 in Eustis, and HCA Florida Casselberry Emergency, located at 2560 S US-Hwy 17-92 in Casselberry.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $848.8 million in uncompensated care and contributes $2.1 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly-trained specialists, including the state’s largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.