Wireless Pacemaker, Size of a AAA Battery, Without a Surgical Incision Implanted at MRMC, by Dr. Brett M. Gidney

SANTA MARIA, CA – September 19, 2017– The Micra Transcatheter Pacing system is the worlds smallest pacemaker delivered through a minimally invasive approach. The leadless pacemaker eliminates the need for a device pocket and insertion of a pacing lead which are integral elements of traditional pacing systems. The removal of these elements eliminates an important source of complications associated with traditional pacing systems while providing similar benefits. Leadless pacemakers are delivered via catheter to the heart, and function similarly to other trans-venous single-chamber ventricular pacemakers.  Similar to other single chamber pacemakers there are very specific clinical indications where this device can be used. 

On Jan 18th 2017 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services( CMS) had released there would be  insurance coverage  as long as it was being implanted using the FDA labeled indication and the national coverage determination ( NCD).


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About Marian Regional Medical Center

Marian Regional Medical Center, located in Santa Maria, California, is rated among the top 10% in the nation for cardiac care, and is a designated STEMI Receiving Center (ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) in Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara County STEMI receiving programs earned the Silver Award from the American Heart Association for excellence in patient care. 

Marian has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. In addition, Marian has received the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Clinical Excellence Award. The medical center’s cancer program is distinguished as the only comprehensive Community Cancer Center on the Central Coast. The need to meet the demand for quality, technologicallyadvanced care for a growing community led Marian to open its doors to a new state-of-the-art, 191-bed facility in the spring of 2012. 

The new facility houses the largest and most comprehensive perinatology/neonatology program on the Central Coast providing the most compassionate, quality care to the littlest of patients. Marian is a Dignity Health member of the Central Coast, which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA and French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, CA, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, CA and St. John’s Pleasant Valley in Camarillo, CA. Dignity Health of the Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.