November 09, 2015 - 12:47 PM
ORLANDO, Fla. - Researchers are reporting encouraging results for a new generation of pacemakers — miniature, wireless ones that can be implanted through a leg vein without surgery.
In a study of 725 patients, one of these devices, made by Medtronic, was successfully implanted 99 per cent of the time, with a low rate of complications compared to traditional pacemakers.
Two months ago, researchers reported a study of a similar device made by St. Jude Medical. Both of these mini pacemakers are already sold in Europe and the companies are seeking Food and Drug Administration approval to sell them in the U.S.
The studies were discussed Monday at an American Heart Association conference in Orlando and published by the New England Journal of Medicine.
News from © The Associated Press, 2015