Abbott has announced the successful completion of the “world’s first” in-human leadless left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) procedures using the company’s investigational Aveir conduction system pacing (CSP) leadless pacemaker system, as part of a feasibility study.
These procedures mark the first time a leadless pacemaker has been implanted into the left bundle branch area—a key part of the heart’s electrical conduction system—and are designed to mimic the heart’s natural beat, offering people with slower-than-normal heart rhythms a new potential treatment option, according to Abbott.
A press release details that the landmark procedures were part of the prospective Leadless CSP feasibility study evaluating the acute safety and performance of the investigational Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system. The procedures were completed earlier in 2024 by site principal investigator Petr Neužil (Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czechia) and study principal investigator Vivek Reddy (Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, USA).
“While both conduction system pacing and leadless pacing provide distinct benefits to many patients, they have been separate options—until now,” said Devi Nair (St Bernards Medical Center, Jonesboro, USA), a key contributor to the study. “For the first time, the study of the Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system evaluates a pioneering approach that directly targets the left bundle branch area, combining the advantages of conduction system and leadless pacing technologies.”
Abbott’s recent release describes CSP as an evolving technique in which a traditional pacemaker wire is implanted deep into the wall separating the left and right chambers of the heart. This approach activates the left bundle branch area enabling physiological pacing, which mimics the heart’s natural electrical current. As a result, physicians believe this pacing approach could improve the physiological response from the heart compared with other pacing options, the release adds.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device designation to explore the use of Abbott’s Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system for LBBAP.
“Bringing our proven leadless pacemaker technology to the left bundle branch area has great potential to be another transformative moment in cardiac care,” said Randel Woodgrift, senior vice president of Abbott’s cardiac rhythm management business. “By continuously innovating our approach to pacing, Abbott is revolutionising care for millions of people living with slow or irregular heart rhythms.”
