First Patient Receives Medtronic’s Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

A pilot study is getting underway to evaluate a new Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillator that doesn’t require leads to be placed inside the heart or veins. The Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV ICD) system can deliver defibrillation shocks as well as pacing signals to the heart, but it uses only a single lead placed under the sternum outside the heart. The electronic implant itself is no larger than existing conventional ICDs and is placed a few inches (centimeters) below the armpit. The first implant has already taken place at New Zealand’s Christchurch Hospital and a total of twenty patients are expected to receive the device. This is the following three research and feasibility studies that have been completed in preparation for in-human implantation.