His-bundle pacing performed first time in Pakistan at NICVD

The procedure to strengthen heart muscles and ensure its proper functioning was performed on two patients

KARACHI: His-bundle pacing procedure- a technique for controlling heartbeat irregularities via a pacemaker- has been performed at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) for the first time in Pakistan.

The procedure was performed on two patients by a team of healthcare professionals led by Dr Azam Shafquat, professor of cardiac electrophysiology at NICVD, and comprising Dr Faisal Qadir, assistant professor of cardiac electrophysiology at NICVD, and Dr Rehan Karim, EP consultant at the University of Minnesota in the USA.

Taking to media, the team informed that the procedure was performed without any complications on 45-year-old Noorul din and 80-year-old Shamim Baig, who were admitted to the hospital after they suffered heart failure and complained of slow heartbeat. Both of them have been recovering fast and would be discharged soon, the doctors said.

The doctors explained that heart pumps blood throughout the body via an electrical system that makes it contract regularly. If the electrical system is damaged, heart muscles become weak, they said, adding that a wire, connected to a pacemaker, is introduced into the heart's electrical system via the his-bundle pacing technique, so as to strengthen heart muscles and make it function properly.

Appreciating the team for successfully completing the procedure, NICVD Executive Director Nadeem Qamar said the hospital had achieved a milestone.