Doctors in Southampton have carried out a world first pacemaker procedure set to transform the lives of thousands of patients suffering from irregular heart rhythms. 

The pioneering dual-chamber pacemaker procedure, which took place at University Hospital Southampton last week, saw 54-year-old Romsey mum Karen Cooper become the first patient to be fitted with the device.

The operation took just an hour via keyhole surgery using a specially designed catheter to implant the two leadless devices directly into the heart via a vein in the leg.

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They communicate continuously with each other from different chambers using revolutionary implant-to-implant technology to sense and pace the heart.

Ms Cooper said: "I had my first pacemaker fitted when I was 17 after I fainted, resulting in a head injury. Doctors ran some tests, including an ECG, which picked up that I had a heart condition called arrhythmia.

"I’ve had several problems with traditional pacemakers over the years and have had seven fitted altogether – mainly because of infections with the wires.

"The last one was changed as I ended up with a blood clot in my neck so a new pacemaker was fitted in my abdomen. This has also been causing me problems recently and having it changed again would require invasive surgery.

"When the clinical team mentioned the new dual-chamber leadless pacemaker it seemed like a game-changer to me.

"All the issues I have suffered with over the years and this new piece of kit could offer me peace of mind of the pacing but without the leads – I was over the moon at something that sounded like it would be life-changing for me."

(Image: University Hospital Southampton) Known as AVEIR DR, the pill-shaped devices, smaller than an AAA battery, also offer a potential solution for patients who have been unsuitable for a single pacemaker.

Dr John Paisey, consultant cardiologist at UHS who led the clinical team, said: “This represents a major leap forward in the treatment of certain heart conditions."

UHS performs more than 2,000 procedures for patients every year with a heart rhythm condition.

The use of the technology follows a global trial that found the AVEIR DR has a 97 per cent success rate in returning a patient's heartbeat to normal.