New Delhi: A 66-year-old woman has become the first patient in India to receive a leadless atrial pacemaker, following a minimally invasive procedure performed at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.

The patient had been experiencing palpitations and imbalance for several months and was recently diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)—a condition in which the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node, fails to maintain a stable rhythm, the hospital said in a statement.

Though advised to undergo a traditional pacemaker implantation, the woman was reluctant due to concerns over conventional surgery and the visibility of the implanted device.

Offering an alternative, Dr Vanita Arora, Clinical Lead for Cardiac Electrophysiology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, proposed the use of an Atrial Aveir Leadless Pacemaker—a capsule-sized, wireless device that can be implanted transcatheter into the right upper chamber of the heart, without the need for open surgery.

The procedure, conducted on Sunday, was completed without complications.

"By eliminating leads and surgical pockets, it provides a safer, transcatheter minimally invasive solution that preserves the natural motion of the heart. Our patient, who had been distressed with palpitations and dizziness for months, responded beautifully to the procedure and was able to walk within hours," said Dr Arora.

The patient recovered well and was walking within hours of the procedure. She is scheduled to be discharged on Tuesday, according to the hospital.

"This marks India's first successful case of Atrial Aveir Leadless Pacemaker implantation, a breakthrough in transcatheter minimally invasive cardiac rhythm management," the hospital said.

Dr Arora added that the technology offers new hope to patients requiring pacing support in the upper chamber for sinus node dysfunction (SND), especially those apprehensive about conventional surgery or having a visible implanted device.