When a fetus has a complete heart block, pacemakers can be implanted after birth, but this sometimes can be too late and typically involves further waiting for the child to reach a safe weight for the procedure. Attempts to implant pacemakers before delivery have required the generator unit to remain outside the child’s body, creating its own problems due to the freely running leads that can be easily dislodged or infected.

Now researchers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and University of Southern California have reported on a tiny new pacemaker that can be implanted in utero into a fetus, reducing the side effects that are common to externally placed devices. The researchers have conducted pre-clinical testing of the device and believe it is ready for use in human trials. The pacemaker received a Humanitarian Use Device designation from the FDA and initial implantations are expected in the near future.    

source:heart rhythm journal