A 71-year-old man, bedridden due to an irregular heartbeat, has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing a groundbreaking procedure at Medicover Hospital. The hospital successfully performed its first Medtronic Micra Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker implantation—a revolutionary treatment for bradycardia—eliminating the need for traditional surgery.
Led by Senior Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Keshav Kale, the procedure restored the patient’s heartbeat, allowing him to regain mobility and independence.
Bimal Tiwari, a resident of Kharghar, had been experiencing syncopal (fainting) episodes and dangerous falls caused by bradycardia—a condition in which the heart beats too slowly, restricting oxygen-rich blood flow. His condition progressed into Degenerative Complete Heart Block (CHB), a severe disorder where electrical signals between the heart’s chambers are disrupted. Once an active individual, Tiwari became fully dependent on his family for daily activities and lived in constant fear of collapsing.
Tiwari initially sought treatment at another hospital for coronary angiography and pacemaker implantation, but doctors discovered he had severe thrombocytopenia (a critically low platelet count of 60,000), making conventional pacemaker surgery too dangerous due to the risk of life-threatening bleeding. With no immediate solutions, his family turned to Medicover Hospital as a last resort.
In critical condition after another fainting spell, Tiwari was rushed to Medicover Hospital under the care of Dr. Keshav Kale. Recognizing the emergency, Dr. Kale implanted a temporary pacemaker overnight to stabilize the patient. However, with his platelet count still critically low at 70,000, traditional pacemaker surgery remained too risky. Instead, the medical team opted for the cutting-edge Medtronic Micra Leadless Pacemaker implantation.
Dr. Keshav Kale explained, “The patient’s combination of bradycardia, Degenerative CHB, and severe thrombocytopenia made traditional pacemaker surgery too risky. The Medtronic Micra Leadless Pacemaker was the safest and most advanced option, ensuring a quicker recovery and minimal complications.”
Dr. Kale further elaborated on the benefits of leadless pacemakers, “Unlike conventional pacemakers that require surgical leads and a battery-powered system, the Medtronic Micra is implanted directly in the heart through a catheter. This eliminates the need for a surgical pocket, significantly reducing the risks of bleeding, infections, and other complications. The entire procedure was completed in just two hours in the cath lab without general anesthesia. The patient was mobilized and discharged the next day.”
Following the procedure, Tiwari experienced a swift and smooth recovery. “I had lost all hope after being turned away due to my condition. But now, I have a second chance at life. I’ve regained my independence,” Tiwari said.
