AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Piedmont Augusta and Piedmont Heart Institute announced their electrophysiology team was the first in the CSRA to successfully implant a AVEIR DR, the world’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker system.
The AVEIR DR from Abott was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2023 to help patients with slow or abnormal heart rhythms.
Santosh Varkey, M.D., a Piedmont Heart Institute Augusta physician, led the team in performing the first post-FDA approval procedure at Piedmont Augusta.
“This innovative technology gives our patients a device that is reliable, retrievable and upgradeable and is implanted directly into the heart through a minimally invasive procedure,” said Varkey. “It’s a big step in patient care, and I’m very pleased that we are the first in the CSRA to bring this care to our patients.”
Varkey said the system allows them to expand the number of people they can provide with care.
“The data shows that there are millions of people across the U.S. who would benefit from pacing in both chambers of the heart, and we can offer a solution that allows them to improve their overall health and return to the things they love to do,” he said.