Pictured: Dr. Feigofsky completing one of the first leadless pacemaker surgeries at St. Anthony Regional Hospital
A remarkable new technology in cardiology, the leadless pacemaker, is changing how patients receive heart treatments, and the Iowa Heart Center at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll is one of only a small handful of places in the state where the technology is available. Dr. Suzanne Feigofsky says it is incredible that they can offer cutting-edge technology right here in Carroll.
St. Anthony Regional Hospital is a critical access hospital, meaning there are limitations on the number of available beds and patient length of stay, but Feigofsky says that hasn’t impacted the quality of care they offer, as is evident through the introduction of this procedure.
The first successful pacemaker installation surgery was completed almost 70 years ago. It involved a separate unit placed in the body and connected to the heart via wires known as leads. Feigofsky says the new pacemakers are attached directly to the heart.
Feigofsky adds that bringing this procedure to St. Anthony Regional Hospital required months of preparation, such as practicing the surgery on live pigs, training the support staff on the process, and more. She says another benefit she’s seen in all three of the patients who have received a leadless pacemaker locally is the shortened recovery time.
Of the three leadless pacemakers that have been installed at St. Anthony so far, all three were completed on the same day earlier this month. Not every patient meets the criteria for a leadless pacemaker. Feigofsky will share more on this new technology in the April 30 episode of John Ryan’s “Must Know People” podcast.
