FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Some exciting news from McLaren Flint.
It’s a lifesaving defibrillator and the hospital was the first to implant the device in our region. The goal is to save more lives. of those who go into sudden cardiac arrest.
The minimally invasive procedure only takes about an hour and is done under general anesthesia and helps to avoid open-heart surgery.
The first of its kind device is called the Aurora Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator — or EV-ICD — and is for patients with dangerously fast or abnormal heart rhythms.
McLaren Flint one of the first in U.S. to use new heart device. It is a small, battery powered device that is placed in the chest and monitors the heartbeat.
Dr. Madar Abed, Electrophysiologist at McLaren Flint, says though defibrillators have been around for decades, this one is more streamlined and less invasive — offering fewer complications.
“We’ve had defibrillators for more than 50 years now but those were bulky bigger and transvenous which means more invasive which means you have wires put inside the heart through the veins that run here beneath the collarbone and shoulder — you go put the wires inside the heart, and it can cause some issues and complications,” Abed said.
Dr. Abed also said the Aurora aims to enhance the lives of those living with heart conditions and the battery life is over 12 years.
