Sharjah doctor leads Europe's first wireless pacemaker implantation
Al Qassimi Hospital specialist specially invited to perform innovative pacemaker procedure
Sharjah: A senior doctor from Sharjah, Dr. Mohamed Magdi, who works as Consultant and Head of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department at Al Qassimi Hospital, has made international headlines by performing Europe’s first implantation of a single-chamber, wireless cardiac pacemaker “Aveir VR” at Bern University Hospital in Switzerland.
Dr Magdi was specially invited to lead the procedure due to his expertise with this device. With this, the UAE became the second country after the US to adopt the revolutionary technology, reinforcing its position as a global hub for medical innovation.
Dr Arif Al Nooryani, Director of Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, said: “We are proud to see our expertise recognised on an international scale, with our specialists leading Europe’s first wireless pacemaker implantation. This success demonstrates the UAE’s leadership in medical innovation and showcases our team’s ability to advance cutting-edge treatment techniques.”
Al Nooryani added that Al Qassimi Hospital’s partnerships with global medical institutions and its specialised training programmes for doctors from Europe and the Middle East exemplify the UAE’s commitment to healthcare excellence. He credited the UAE’s achievements to the Emirates Health Services’ commitment to equipping the healthcare sector with the latest technology, aligned with the “We the UAE 2031” vision and the UAE Centennial 2071 goals.
Dr Magdi said, “Al Qassimi Hospital is proud to be at the forefront of using this pioneering technology. Since our first device implantation, we’ve trained more than 200 physicians from across Europe and the Middle East, including Switzerland, Germany, England, France, and Austria. This device marks a transformative step in cardiac care.”
Advantages of wireless pacemaker
The “Aveir VR” pacemaker offers significant advantages over traditional wired pacemakers, as it is inserted through a small entry point in the thigh or neck without requiring surgical incisions.
This approach shortens hospital stays to less than 24 hours and boasts a long battery life of 15-20 years, providing a lasting solution for patients.