The tiny device making a big difference: Northampton hospital gains top award
Heart Centre honoured for pioneering tiny pacemaker technology
Northampton General Hospital has been recognised as an international centre of excellence for its pioneering work with cutting-edge leadless pacemakers.
The accolade was awarded to the Northampton Heart Centre on 14th October in recognition of its expertise in implanting the miniature devices and its role in training specialist cardiac teams from across the UK.
The Medtronic Micra AV2 leadless pacemaker is 93% smaller than a traditional pacemaker and sits entirely inside the heart, meaning it cannot be seen or felt from outside the body.
Leadless pacemakers represent one of the latest advances in heart rhythm treatment. Around 93% smaller than traditional pacemakers and weighing less than two grams, the devices are implanted directly into the heart, removing the need for wires and a surgical pocket beneath the skin.
The recognition was awarded by Medtronic, the global medical technology company that manufactures the devices.
To mark the achievement, Medtronic Vice President of Pacing Therapies Nicolas Pivert travelled from France to Northampton to present the team with a commemorative plaque.
The designation places Northampton General Hospital among a select group of hospitals across Europe recognised for delivering and advancing the specialist procedure.
As well as performing the implants, the Northampton team has become a key training centre, helping clinicians from other hospitals learn how to carry out the procedure safely and achieve the best outcomes for patients.