World's smallest pacemaker! - Dublin

An 82-year-old Dublin man has become the first patient in Ireland to have the world's smallest pacemaker fitted. Peter Cassells, from Blackrock, Dublin city underwent the procedure at the Blackrock Clinic just over a week ago.
Today, he told RTÉ News that he feels very well after the operation, which was carried out using minimally invasive surgery.
The Medtronic Micra pacemaker is smaller than an AAA battery, and 93% smaller than conventional pacemakers.The average battery life for the pacemaker is about twelve years.


There is no box required with the device, removing the risk of erosion and infection and the need to remove the device. No leads are needed, eliminating the risk of blocked veins.
The device, which costs around €7,500, was fitted by Dr. Jonathan Lyne, consultant cardiologist and electro-physiologist at the Blackrock Clinic.
It is inserted into the right heart chamber by a catheter, via a femoral vein in the thigh.

Patients can be discharged within 24 hours of the procedure, if there are no other complications.