The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Leadless pacemakers
- No.1 in the UK for private electrophysiology care
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to family and friends
- Be seen by a specialist in as little as 24 hours
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LEADLESS PACEMAKERS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re rated No.1 in the UK for cardiac care and we treat more than 26,000 patients every year, including conducting over 1,000 ablation procedures. So, you can be confident that you’ll be cared for by some of the most experienced cardiac specialists in the country.
Your treatment team will be drawn from over 200+ consultants, supported by multidisciplinary teams of clinical nurse specialists, level 3 ITU nurses, radiographers, psychologists and electrophysiology experts. They’ll be working with the latest facilities and equipment, including state-of-the-art ablation technology and techniques, to ensure your treatment is as effective as possible.
A leadless pacemaker is a miniaturised pacemaker that's implanted into your heart through a vein in your leg or neck. It monitors your heart's rhythm and transmits a small electrical impulse that stimulates a heartbeat when it’s needed.
Conventional pacemakers have leads connected to a separate generator (a battery) which is placed in a pocket under the skin, but these new pacemakers don’t. That makes them much easier to implant. The risk of complications is also 50% lower, and the battery life of leadless pacemakers is up to twice as long.
You can find out more about regulating your heartbeat with a pacemaker or defibrillator here.
Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your specific condition, the best way to treat it, and whether you’ll benefit from a leadless pacemaker.
For example, if your heartbeat is slow or irregular and needs help to keep beating at a safe rate, a pacemaker can help. Leadless pacemakers are also recommended if your condition means you’d be at a greater risk of complications from a conventional pacemaker. For example, if you’ve previously had pacemaker leads which no longer function, or some of the veins in your chest are now blocked, the leadless pacemaker may be the best solution.
If your immune system leaves you at higher risk of infection, the less invasive surgical procedure can reduce the chances of infection or complications. Leadless pacemakers can also allow patients to recover more quickly from the implantation process.
For example, if your heartbeat is slow or irregular and needs help to keep beating at a safe rate, a pacemaker can help. Leadless pacemakers are also recommended if your condition means you’d be at a greater risk of complications from a conventional pacemaker. For example, if you’ve previously had pacemaker leads which no longer function, or some of the veins in your chest are now blocked, the leadless pacemaker may be the best solution.
If your immune system leaves you at higher risk of infection, the less invasive surgical procedure can reduce the chances of infection or complications. Leadless pacemakers can also allow patients to recover more quickly from the implantation process.
Depending on your specific cardiac condition, you may benefit more from a traditional pacemaker, which has separate leads that are inserted through a vein under your collarbone. It may also be possible to treat your condition with other procedures such as a catheter ablation or medication.
Before you have any surgery, you’ll have a detailed discussion with your dedicated Electrophysiologist, and they’ll take you through exactly what’s going to happen.
You’ll be able to ask any questions and get a clear idea of the process. Leadless pacemaker surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic and sedation, or under a general anaesthetic. You’ll need to fast for six hours before you’re admitted, but you can have sips of water until you arrive at the hospital.
It isn’t usually necessary to stop or change any of your other medications beforehand, but your consultant will let you know.
You’ll be able to ask any questions and get a clear idea of the process. Leadless pacemaker surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic and sedation, or under a general anaesthetic. You’ll need to fast for six hours before you’re admitted, but you can have sips of water until you arrive at the hospital.
It isn’t usually necessary to stop or change any of your other medications beforehand, but your consultant will let you know.
48
hours to get your test results
200+
consultants to choose from
30
minutes to complete the procedure
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Minimal scarring
A less invasive procedure and no visible lump
Leadless pacemakers
What to expect
A dedicated cardiac team will be with you at every stage of this procedure. You’ll be made comfortable, kept informed and given every opportunity to ask any questions. From your initial consultation until you’re recovering at home, we’ll take care of you.
Please get in touch with us anytime if you have questions or concerns.
01
Initial consultation
The very first step is an initial consultation with one of our cardiac surgery specialists. You’ll have a detailed assessment with them and a cardiac surgery clinical nurse specialist too. They’ll ask questions about your condition and medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Before your cardiac consultant decides to recommend a leadless pacemaker, they’ll carry out a detailed investigation of your specific condition to determine whether it’s the right course of treatment for you. That comprehensive investigation might include assessing your heart rhythm, and non-invasive tests such as an echocardiogram, to make sure you’re suitable and the procedure doesn’t put you at risk.
Those results will help your team create a detailed treatment plan, including how and when to prepare for the surgery and to make sure you’re ready for your recovery.
Those results will help your team create a detailed treatment plan, including how and when to prepare for the surgery and to make sure you’re ready for your recovery.
03
Treatment
Fitting a leadless pacemaker is a short, minimally invasive procedure than can often take a little as 30 minutes, depending on your specific circumstances. It will be carried out by a specialist Electrophysiologist either under local anaesthetic and sedation, or under a general anaesthetic.
04
Follow up
Your consultant will schedule a follow-up appointment within 4-6 weeks, to make sure the operation’s gone smoothly and that the pacemaker is working the way it should. They’ll check:
- Your pacemaker's function and battery levels
- Your device is working correctly and make any necessary adjustments
- For any complications or issues
Your dedicated cardiac team will be on hand to offer advice and support throughout your recovery.
05
Monitoring
Following your initial post-op check, your team will usually ask you to come back in for further checks every 12 months, but they may also be able to monitor your pacemaker’s function and performance remotely, so you don’t have to visit the hospital in person in between visits.
Where can I have my leadless pacemaker surgery?
Our team of cardiovascular surgical consultants can help you at every stage from initial consultation through to surgery and recovery. You can have your leadless pacemaker fitted at the following location:
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
A small, self-contained device will be inserted directly into your heart’s right ventricle through a vein in your leg or neck using a catheter. Once inside, it will be secured to your heart muscle with flexible metal hooks or a screw.
The pacemaker will be tested to ensure that it’s secured and fully functional, then the catheter will be removed. There’s no need for any major incision, and no external leads will protrude from your chest.
Afterwards, you may have some soreness from the small incision in your leg or neck, but you’ll be able to walk within a few hours and can usually go home the same day. Once you’re home, you should rest for 48 hours and avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and swimming for a week. For the first 24–48 hours, you should also support the puncture site with your hand when you cough, laugh or sneeze.
The pacemaker will be tested to ensure that it’s secured and fully functional, then the catheter will be removed. There’s no need for any major incision, and no external leads will protrude from your chest.
Afterwards, you may have some soreness from the small incision in your leg or neck, but you’ll be able to walk within a few hours and can usually go home the same day. Once you’re home, you should rest for 48 hours and avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and swimming for a week. For the first 24–48 hours, you should also support the puncture site with your hand when you cough, laugh or sneeze.
Yes. Your team will give you a pacemaker ID card that includes your personal information, the details of device, and the consultant who carried out your surgery.
You’ll need to keep this card with you, and you may need to show it to airport security staff when you fly. It's also important to let the DVLA and your travel and driving insurance companies know that you have a pacemaker fitted.
You’ll need to keep this card with you, and you may need to show it to airport security staff when you fly. It's also important to let the DVLA and your travel and driving insurance companies know that you have a pacemaker fitted.
The battery in your leadless pacemaker lasts 10-15 years, by which time your consultant might recommend a replacement implant.
Yes, we’ll check your device at any follow-up appointments and through remote monitoring too. We’ll give you a bedside monitor that connects wirelessly to your pacemaker and communicates with it every night.
That information is automatically sent to your consultant and care team so they can check on your pacemaker’s function without you needing to come in.
That information is automatically sent to your consultant and care team so they can check on your pacemaker’s function without you needing to come in.
Patients' stories
Designing a new heart
Using his experience in 3D printing for his architecture clients, David built a life-size model of his own heart and ribcage to help visualise and plan his endoscopic heart surgery with Mr Toufan Bahrami.
Just two months after undergoing heart surgery at The Harley Street Clinic, David, who is in his 70s, is looking forward to his forthcoming trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg with his wife.
A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
At 55, Mahmoud had never felt fitter. The orthodontist from northwest London enjoyed daily exercise classes and a range of sports. It was only when a relative was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that his wife suggested he arrange a routine heart health check-up.
Graham's story
Graham shares his experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, his treatment under the care of Mr Vijay Ramani at The Christie Private Care - part of HCA Healthcare UK, his choice to be treated with robotic surgery and his emotional and physical recovery.
“I couldn't be happier with the care I've received – I've felt very reassured and had each step explained to me in so much detail.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.