Pacemakers
A pacemaker is a small device placed under the skin below the collarbone that stops the heart from beating too slowly.
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Procedures · Dubai
Leadless pacemakers in Dubai
A leadless pacemaker is a self-contained pacemaker about the size of a large vitamin capsule that is placed inside the heart through a vein in the leg. It has no leads and no pocket under the skin. Dr Shady Habboush places leadless pacemakers at Saudi German Hospital Dubai for patients in whom it is a suitable option.
Dr Shady HabboushConsultant Interventional Cardiology · Saudi German Hospital Dubai2 min read3 sourcesMedically reviewed against ESC and NHS guidance
01
Who it is for
- People who need pacing mainly from one chamber of the heart, for example slow heart rate with atrial fibrillation
- People at higher risk of pocket or lead problems, such as previous device infection or difficult veins
- Some people on dialysis or with limited access to the veins of the upper body
- Not everyone: people who need a defibrillator or CRT usually need a conventional system, and so do many people who need pacing in more than one chamber
Risks and alternatives
Leadless pacemakers avoid lead and pocket problems, but they carry their own risks, including bleeding or damage to the leg vein, the device moving, and rarely a tear in the heart wall that needs urgent treatment. Long-term experience is shorter than with conventional pacemakers. A conventional pacemaker remains the standard option for many people, and the choice is discussed with you.
02
What happens, step by step
- 01
The suitability check includes an ECG, rhythm monitoring and often an echo.
- 02
A vein at the top of the leg (femoral vein) is numbed with local anaesthetic, and sedation may be offered.
- 03
A delivery catheter carries the device up the vein into the right ventricle under X-ray.
- 04
The device is fixed to the heart wall and tested before the catheter is withdrawn.
- 05
The leg puncture is closed, and you rest lying flat for a few hours.
03
Recovery and what to expect
Many people go home the same day or the next day. There is no chest wound and no pocket, so there are usually no arm movement restrictions.
Device checks are needed regularly, as with any pacemaker.
The device is designed to stay in place. When the battery runs low, a new device can often be added, or in some cases the old one retrieved.
04
Questions about this
What is a leadless pacemaker?
A pacemaker in a small capsule that sits inside the heart. It has no wires and no pocket under the skin.
Am I a candidate?
It suits some patients but not all. It is mainly used when pacing from one chamber is enough. Dr Shady can explain whether it is an option for you after reviewing your ECG and tests.
Will there be a scar?
Only a small puncture mark at the top of the leg. There is no scar on the chest.
Is it better than a normal pacemaker?
Neither is better for everyone. A leadless pacemaker avoids leads and a pocket; a conventional pacemaker suits more types of rhythm problem and has the longer track record. The right choice depends on your rhythm problem.
05
Related guides
Slow heart rate
Bradycardia means a slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats a minute at rest.
Read the guideICD and CRT devices
An ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) watches the heart rhythm and can treat a dangerous fast rhythm with pacing or a shock.
Read the guideSources
Medical facts on this page follow the sources below.
- NICE IPG626: Leadless cardiac pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmias (2018)
- 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Eur Heart J 2021
- NHS: Pacemaker implantation
Medically reviewed against ESC and NHS guidance · Updated October 2026. General information, not medical advice.
Location and booking
Book a consultation
Appointments are made through Saudi German Hospital Dubai, Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3. Consultations in Arabic, English and German.
- Address
- Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3, Dubai
- Languages
- Arabic, English, German
Chest pain right now? Do not wait for an appointment. Call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department.