Mon Health becomes first hospital in West Virginia to offer a revolutionary pacemaker

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – Mon Health is making historic strides as the first hospital in West Virginia to offer a dual chamber leadless pacemaker.

According to Mon Health officials this new technology will provide a new minimally invasive option to treat the near 80 percent of people who require pacing in two chambers of their heart.

“Pacemakers have been around for 70 years now,” said cardiologist Dr. Salam Sbaity.

“They have changed and saved the life of many. They have also evolved a lot over the years both in terms of function and size. However this is the first revolutionary change in their function that will set the pace to the future.”

“With a new device we have both chambers with dual chamber capability,” said Dr. Matthew Gaskill.

“We go in through a groin and implant pace makers which are just about the size of a triple A battery through the groin so that involves a functional pacemaker just the same so no need for incision and very low risk of infection. They still have a very long battery life. With a leadless pacemaker a single chamber alone they can last up to 20 years.”

The cardiology duo says this new technology will expand just another option for a pacemaker for patients with a higher risk of infection.

“Sometimes the veins in people’s chests are not that amendable,” said Dr. Gaskill.

“This immediately gets rid of that difficulty with being able to plant the pacemaker and no risk of infection and no incisions will be needed.”

“We want to continue to set the gold standard for heart rhythm care in the state and serve our patients with the best technology,” said Dr. Sbaity.

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