Doctors at Paras Health, Delhi NCR have successfully treated a 58 year old marathon runner working in the private sector using North India’s first dual chamber pacemaker implantation after he suffered multiple episodes of sudden collapse caused by a rare and previously undiagnosed cardiac electrical disorder. Despite being physically fit and having no known history of heart disease, the condition posed a serious and potentially life threatening risk.
The patient experienced his first collapse nearly ten days before admission, losing consciousness suddenly without any warning symptoms. He was taken to another hospital where routine evaluations including blood tests, ECG and Holter monitoring showed no abnormalities, following which he was discharged.
However, the very next day, he collapsed again at his workplace and lost consciousness without any prior signs. After this second episode, he was rushed to Paras Health, Delhi NCR and admitted on 21 October in an unconscious state.
Given the repeated and unexplained nature of the collapses, the cardiology team suspected an electrical problem in the heart rather than a blockage in the coronary arteries. An advanced electrophysiology study was conducted, which revealed a serious abnormality in the heart’s conduction system that had not been detected through standard diagnostic tests. The findings explained the patient’s recurrent loss of consciousness and indicated the urgent need for pacemaker implantation.
Further assessment showed that the patient’s underlying rheumatoid arthritis had contributed to premature ageing of the heart’s electrical system. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are known to accelerate degeneration of cardiac conduction pathways, leading to rhythm disturbances at a much earlier age, even in individuals who maintain excellent physical fitness and do not have conventional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension or coronary artery disease.
The medical team proceeded with the implantation of an advanced dual chamber pacemaker designed to synchronise electrical activity between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The minimally invasive procedure was completed in approximately 90 minutes without the use of general anaesthesia.
The patient recovered well following the intervention and was discharged within 48 hours. He is expected to gradually resume his active lifestyle under continued medical supervision.
Also Read