First catheter ablation in Fiji: Innovative use of a pacemaker programmer as a recording system

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Technology
• Global Health

Background:

• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome requires timely intervention, often catheter ablation.
• Electrophysiology (EP) services are scarce in low- and middle-income countries, limiting treatment access.
• Innovative solutions are needed to bridge the gap in essential cardiac care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the first catheter ablation procedures for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in Fiji.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using a repurposed pacemaker programmer as an EP recording system.
• To establish a foundation for developing EP services in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Two patients with symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome underwent catheter ablation.
• A pacemaker programmer was repurposed for intracardiac signal recording.
• An IBI-1500T9 radiofrequency generator was used for energy delivery.

Main Results:

• Both procedures were technically successful, eliminating accessory pathway conduction.
• Patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms without complications.
• The repurposed equipment effectively facilitated lifesaving EP procedures.

Conclusions:

• Repurposing existing cardiac device equipment can enable essential electrophysiology procedures in resource-limited environments.
• This approach offers a viable solution for delivering advanced cardiac care in underserved regions.
• Successful implementation in Fiji demonstrates the potential for global scalability and improved patient outcomes.