MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute is the first medical facility in West Virginia to implant the Medtronic Aurora™ Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV-ICD). The device offers a new option for patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest or irregular heart rhythms.
“The heart is an electrically driven pump that moves blood around the body through veins and arteries,” David Schwartzman, M.D., WVU Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiac Electrophysiology section chief and WVU School of Medicine professor of Medicine, said. “That electrical system can malfunction, which can cause to heart to beat too fast or slow. Either of these can be life threatening.”
Patients at significant risk for dangerous electrical system malfunction may be recommended for an ICD. These systems monitor the heart rhythm and intervene to prevent or terminate electrical malfunction. Traditional ICDs use thin lead wires placed inside the heart to monitor electrical activity and deliver shocks if a dangerous arrhythmia is detected.
The Aurora EV-ICD device lead is placed underneath the breastbone, outside of the blood vessels and heart. This reduces the potential for complications related to having leads within the blood vessels and heart, including infection and dislodgement.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this life-saving technology to our patients,” Dr. Schwartzman said. “This is an important addition to our state-of-the-art toolkit for treating heart rhythm disorders. Certain patients will benefit from the EV-ICD option.”
For more information about this and other heart disease treatments, call 855-WVU-CARE or visit WVUMedicine.org/Heart.