NCH Achieves a First with Innovative Leadless Heart Failure Treatment

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has successfully performed a groundbreaking cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) procedure using the WiSE® CRT System from EBR Systems, Inc., marking the first time the system has been implanted simultaneously with a right-sided leadless pacemaker in the US. The advanced procedure was led by Dinesh Sharma, MD, an electrophysiologist at NCH’s Rooney Heart Institute, who along with his team, completed the procedure on a long-time patient of the Rooney Heart Institute.

The patient is now one of the first in the country to receive a completely leadless biventricular pacing system, which is a combination of the Medtronic MICRA™ device and the WiSE CRT System. This breakthrough represents a major milestone in the evolution of left ventricular endocardial pacing (LVEP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy, a treatment option for patients with heart failure.

“The WiSE system is a game-changer for heart failure patients who are not candidates for traditional CRT,” said Dinesh Sharma, MD, Electrophysiologist at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “By enabling pacing inside the left ventricle without leads, it offers a more natural and physiological activation of the heart, significantly expanding our ability to treat patients who previously had no other options.”

The WiSE CRT System is the first and only leadless device capable of delivering LVEP, stimulating endocardial tissue from within the heart’s left ventricle. Unlike conventional CRT devices, which use electrical leads placed outside the heart wall, the WiSE system mimics the heart’s natural electrical patterns, offering enhanced effectiveness for patients who have not responded to standard therapy or for whom traditional leads are not viable.

More than 6 million Americans are living with heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. While heart failure cannot be cured, advancements in cardiac care like the WiSE system are transforming the treatment landscape. Devices such as this help the heart work more efficiently, improving function, increasing energy, and reducing fluid buildup, especially in the legs and ankles.

“This innovation underscores our commitment to providing the most advanced cardiac care right here in Southwest Florida,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, President of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Sharma and our electrophysiology team, we’re proud to offer these life-changing options for patients who need them most right here in Southwest Florida.”

NCH continues to lead the way in cardiac innovation, offering the latest therapies and clinical excellence to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with complex heart conditions.

For more information about the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, visit www.NCHmd.org.

ABOUT NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 100 Hospitals which puts it in the top 2% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care.

The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.