Dr. Gimbel said that cardiac pacemakers are used to treat bradycardia, which is a heart rate that is too slow.  The pacemaker monitors the heart and provides electrical stimulation when the heart beats too slowly for each patient’s specific physiological requirements.

 This latest wireless technology gives a number of advantages to patients, according to Dr. Gimbel.  “First, it takes a shorter period of time to insert and calibrate the wireless pacemaker than before since the new generation of wireless pacemakers can talk directly to the computer to make sure that the system is working properly,” Dr. Gimbel said.  “It also reduces the chance of infection as the new wireless pacemakers do not require any other equipment to start the device’s work to regulate a slow-beating heart.

 “Another advantage of the new wireless device is that it can alert the patient and our pacemaker clinic to changes in condition or problems with the device just like warning lights on your car’s dashboard alert you to potential problems with your auto.  For example, it can provide some early warning signs of rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, that can predispose patients to suffer a stroke.  This allows time for the physician to introduce the appropriate medicines earlier which may help reduce the patient’s risk of stroke,” Dr. Gimbel said.

 The wireless technology also reduces the burden on the patient to remember to perform all the necessary monitoring of the pacemaker system.  “There might be some hearing loss or the patient may forget details as they are suffering from a life-threatening disease, so the wireless pacemaker allows for direct communication between the device and the physician’s office.  Managing disease progression is very important for patients with heart failure,” Dr. Gimbel added.

 “By providing access to the latest technology, Mercy has been very forthcoming in letting physicians choose what’s best for their patients so that they can provide excellent care for them,” Dr. Gimbel said.

 The Accent RF pacemaker was developed by St. Jude Medical to improve patient care and make device follow-up more efficient and convenient for both the patients and the physicians.  St. Jude Medical reports that the Accent RF pacemaker is the first pacemaker with automatic test results and complete device diagnostics that be accessed via wireless communication in a clinic or from a patient’s home.

 The complete Accent RF system includes the pacemaker and a monitoring station at the patient’s home, which downloads and transmits the data to the physician’s office.

 Baptist Hospital West is a member of Mercy Health Partners.  Mercy was formed by the merger of St. Mary’s Health System and Baptist Health System of East Tennessee in 2008.  The new healthcare system operates seven acute-care hospitals and twenty other healthcare facilities across East Tennessee.  More than 1,000 of the area’s leading physicians are on the active staff at Mercy facilities.  One of East Tennessee’s largest employers, Mercy has 5,700 associates dedicated to providing compassionate care using the latest medical technology.
For physician referral and service information, please call one of Mercy’s referral lines: Ask Mercy at 632-5200 (toll-free at 877-368-7362) or Mercy Wellnesse for Women at 877-599-WELL (9355).  A complete list of Mercy physicians, facilities, services and extensive health information is available online at www.mercy.com.

East Tennessee Heart Consultants consists of 32 board-certified cardiologists who strive to offer the most comprehensive cardiac care in the Southeast.  Since 1974, the physicians and staff of ETHC have committed themselves to providing high-quality and compassionate patient care.  ETHC has office locations in Knoxville, Sevierville, Lenoir City and 10 outreach sites throughout East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky.  To learn more about ETHC, visit www.ethc.com or call 865-602-6707.
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