Apollo Hospitals performs first-of-its-kind interventional procedure with laser technology on a 72-year-old patient, infected from pacemaker

Chennai, 28 June 2023: In an effort to save patients from pacemaker infection and enhance post-Pacemaker cardio care, Apollo Hospitals has introduced an innovative Excimer laser technology to remove the infected parts of the pacemaker from patient’s hearts swiftly. Dr. A M Karthigesan, Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Apollo Hospitals, recently performed this cutting-edge extraction procedure on a 72-year-old male patient. 

The patient, who received a pacemaker 8 years ago, presented with symptoms of severe pocket infection with abandoned infected leads in the heart. The patient showed significant progress after this unique intervention by the clinical team from Apollo Hospitals. 

The implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers has increased in the recent past, in light of high survival rates and improved quality of life among patients with cardiac rhythm disorders. However, the widespread use of such cardiac electronic implantable devices is also accompanied by an increase in post-implantation complications like pocket infections and lead dysfunction. 

Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Apollo Hospitals has established itself as a trailblazer in the adoption of cutting-edge technology across specialties. Cardio-related ailments affect a huge chunk of the population and it is imperative for clinical teams to track and adopt the latest advancements if we are to remain state of-the-art and cater to emerging concerns of the population. We are pleased to announce the adaptation of this laser-assisted technology for those with specific post-implantation concerns. The physicians at Apollo Hospitals possess the expertise and acumen required to perform such procedures successfully and provide an improved quality of life for our patients.” 

Dr. A M Karthigesan, Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Apollo Hospitals, said, “We are pleased to share that this intervention was performed successfully on one of our patients.  The advancements in laser-based technology have proven to be crucial in the care and treatment of patients with cardiac rhythm ailments who received pacemaker kind of electronic devices.  Sometimes, after pacemaker implantation, the lead wires tend to stick to the cardiac tissues due to fibrotic adhesions or scars that develop as the body begins to recover. This can make extraction difficult. Failure to remove infected wires can lead to aggravated infection and other life-threatening complications. Physicians may sometimes resort to open-heart surgery to remove infected wires. However, the Excimer laser system is safer and more efficient compared to other forms of extraction.”  

The Excimer system emits a cool beam of ultraviolet light at a specific wavelength of 308 nanometers to precisely break down, vaporize and remove the adhesions. This part of the process is called pulsed photo ablation. In addition, the laser penetration depth is only 50 microns – which makes the procedure safe, efficient and lifesaving.