Shanghai, China–based MicroPort’s pacemakers received expanded labeling for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). The company says LBBAP, which utilizes the heart’s natural conduction system efficiency, is seen as the new approach to physiological pacing.
MicroPort designed its Alizea, Borea and Celea pacemakers with Bluetooth capability. The company says it aimed to not compromise on size and battery longevity with its pacemakers. Their volume comes in at just 11cc, with a projected lifespan of 13 years with full feature set on, including remote monitoring.
The FDA approved Alizea and Celea in May 2023. All three have held CE mark since January 2021.
New, advanced features on the company’s latest generation of pacemakers include AutoMRI, SafeR pacing and SAM (sleep apnea monitoring). AutoMRI automatically switches in and out of MRI mode upon detection of a magnetic field. Pre-programming of the pacemaker can take place up to 10 days in advance of the MRI scan.
SafeR, a pacing mode, preserves natural AV conduction that effectively reduces unnecessary ventricular pacing. MicroPort says it can reduce the risk of onset AFib and the risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiac death. Meanwhile, SAM reveals a largely under-diagnosed disease with significant cardiac comorbidities like AFib.
“Our latest generation of Bluetooth pacemakers integrates our advanced DNA features developed with the support of physicians over the years, always considering physiological behaviors for patients,” said Vincent Leveaux, VP of product development and operations at MicroPort CRM. “It now provides the latest feature with [LBBAP], the most recent approach of physiological pacing. This is a first step in the development of our full LBBAP solution.”
