60-Year-Old Woman with Dialysis-Related Dizziness Recovers with Leadless Pacemaker

A 66-year-old woman in Taichung, Taiwan, who has been undergoing long-term dialysis, experienced symptoms of dizziness, slow heart rate, and general weakness during a dialysis session. Subsequent medical evaluations, including a 24-hour electrocardiogram, revealed she had sick sinus syndrome, a condition causing heart rhythm abnormalities.

Doctors determined that a traditional pacemaker implantation was not feasible for the patient. This was due to her history of breast cancer treatment, which involved the placement of a vascular access device, rendering her subclavian veins unsuitable for the conventional pacemaker's leads. Facing this challenge, medical professionals recommended a "leadless pacemaker," a device covered by Taiwan's National Health Insurance.

In a collaborative effort, Dr. Wu Geng-yi, Director of the Cardiovascular Function Department at the Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, guided by Dr. Hsieh Yu-cheng, Director of Cardiology at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, successfully implanted the leadless pacemaker. This innovative device offers advantages over traditional pacemakers, including no surface wound, reduced wound care burden, lower infection risk, and enhanced patient comfort.

Following the procedure, the patient's family expressed relief and reassurance as her heart rhythm normalized and symptoms subsided. Dr. Wu Geng-yi emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention for persistent symptoms like dizziness, chest tightness, or palpitations, as these could indicate underlying heart rhythm issues that require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent delays in care.

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If citizens frequently experience symptoms such as dizziness, chest tightness, or palpitations, it may be related to heart rhythm abnormalities and they should seek medical attention as soon as possible for clarification.