Retrieval of a transcatheter pacemaker in sheep after a mid-term implantation time

The Medtronic Micra transcatheter pacing system (TPS) is a miniaturized VVIR pacemaker that is less than one-tenth the volume of a typical pacemaker, or 0.8 cc (6.7 mm diameter by 26 mm long). The TPS is small enough to place directly within the right ventricle (RV) at the site of pacing, and uses 4 nitinol tines for fixation. Implanting the pacemaker entirely within the heart eliminates the need for both a device pocket and a lead. The pocket and lead contributed to 75% and 88% of the complications in 2 different reports.