GMC Anantnag creates history, performs 50 LBB-A Pacing procedures under C-arm

Anantnag, Dec 31: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully performing 50 cases of Left Bundle Branch Area (LBB-A) pacing under C-arm in just four months, and without electrophysiology (EP) backup.

The feat was achieved under the leadership of Principal GMC Anantnag, Professor. Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb, and a dedicated cardiology team comprising Dr. Syed Maqbool, Dr. Shamim Iqbal, and Dr. Showkat Hussain Shah,

“This shows innovation, perseverance, and commitment to advancing cardiac care in a resource-constrained setting,” Dr Najeeb said.

Sharing the details the cardiologists said, “The journey began in September 2024 when the cardiology team decided to transition from conventional pacemaker implantation to LBB-A pacing, a novel and technically demanding technology”

“In traditional pacemaker procedures, the pacing lead is implanted in the right ventricular (RV) apex or septum, which can lead to pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) in 10–20% of patients within 3–4 years. This complication often results in heart failure, recurrent hospitalizations, and even death.

“LBB-A pacing offers a superior alternative by pacing the heart's natural conduction system, thereby eliminating the risk of heart failure associated with RV pacing”

They said introduced globally in 2017, LBB-A pacing is rapidly gaining acceptance in advanced cardiac centers worldwide, including in India and Jammu & Kashmir.

“While most institutions perform LBB-A pacing in cath labs with EP guidance, GMC Anantnag has set a global precedent by conducting these procedures exclusively under C-arm imaging,” the cardiologists claimed.

They said GMC Anantnag has also emerged as the leading center for LBB-A pacing in Jammu & Kashmir, completing a record 50 procedures in just four months.

“These cases encompassed a diverse patient population, including those with complete heart block, sick sinus syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with left bundle branch block (LBBB), and even hypertrophic cardio-myopathy (HCM),” cardiologists said.

“Starting LBB-A pacing at a peripheral institution like GMC Anantnag—without a cath lab or EP backup—was no small feat. The cardiology team, supported by dedicated OT and ICU staff, worked tirelessly, often beyond regular hours, to ensure the program's success,” they said.

The success rate of the procedures was an impressive 95%, with no reported mortality

The cardiologists thanked Prof. Dr Najeeb for playing a pivotal role, providing unwavering support and resources to make this ambitious project a reality

“ Dr. Najeeb in turn congratulated the cardiology team on this historic accomplishment and reiterated her commitment to elevating GMC Anantnag to one of the top medical institutions in the country..