Maria Cecilia Hospital specializes in advanced cardiac care, with a multidisciplinary Heart Team managing complex cases. Dr. Saverio Iacopino, a pioneer in electrophysiology with _doctor_4797_years_ of experience, was among the first in Italy to implant the Micra TPS – the world's smallest pacemaker. He holds fellowships from the European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology, and directs studies on rare arrhythmia syndromes. The hospital handles over 15% of Italy's cardiac surgeries and hosts international training events through its GVM Campus.
Maria Cecilia Hospital is the founding hospital of the GVM Care Research network in Italy. It handles over 15% of the country’s cardiac surgeries and treats 9,000 patients a year. Its main specialties are cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, neurosurgery, diabetic foot care, and weight loss surgery.
Dr. Saverio Iacopino is a cardiologist at Maria Cecilia Hospital in Italy. He was among the first surgeons in Italy to implant the Micra TPS. This is the smallest pacemaker in the world. It requires no surgery for implantation. Dr. Iacopino specializes in treating complex cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure.
Maria Cecilia Hospital is the founding hospital of the GVM Care Research network in Italy. It handles over 15% of the country’s cardiac surgeries and treats 9,000 patients a year. Its main specialties are cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, neurosurgery, diabetic foot care, and weight loss surgery.
This operation places a device in the chest to regulate an irregular heartbeat, improving heart efficiency and quality of life.
"}}},"operationIndicators":{"details":{"anesthesia":"local","days_in_clinic":2,"days_in_country":7,"rehabilitation_days":1,"satisfied_percent":78,"treatment_duration_hours":2},"illness_kind_details":{"requests_processed":3049}},"direction":{"id":23,"name":"Heart Surgery","alias":"heart-surgery"},"illness_kind":{"id":23,"name":{"en":"Heart Surgery"}},"parsed_details":{"procedure_type":"surgery","fields":{"anesthesia":["local"],"back_to_work_days":{"min":3,"max":7,"unit":"days","qualifier":"For desk-based work after uncomplicated transvenous single- or dual-chamber pacemaker implantation; heavy manual work usually takes longer."},"complication_rate_pct":{"min":4,"max":10,"unit":"percent","qualifier":"Any acute complication within 90 days (hematoma, lead issue, pneumothorax, infection); serious ones about 1-3%"},"contraindications":["Active systemic infection or sepsis","Infection at the planned implant site","Blocked venous access on intended side (relative)","Uncorrected bleeding disorder or unmanageable anticoagulation (relative)"],"days_in_clinic":{"min":0,"max":1,"unit":"nights","qualifier":"Uncomplicated transvenous pacemaker implantation; many patients go home the same day or after one night of observation."},"diagnostic_duration_minutes":null,"diagnostic_preparation":null,"diagnostic_referral_needed":null,"diagnostic_result_time_hours":null,"exercise_resume_weeks":{"min":4,"max":6,"unit":"weeks","qualifier":"Light activity earlier; avoid raising implant-side arm above shoulder and strenuous exercise until lead stabilizes and clinician clears."},"final_result_months":{"min":1,"max":3,"unit":"months","qualifier":"Rhythm support is immediate; leads stabilize over about 4-6 weeks, with final programming at first device check."},"fly_home_after_days":{"min":3,"max":7,"unit":"days","qualifier":"After stable device check, chest X-ray and wound review; later if pocket hematoma, pneumothorax or lead problem."},"follow_up_visits":[{"purpose":"wound_check","requirement":"routine","after":{"min":7,"max":14,"unit":"days","qualifier":"Wound inspection and, if needed, suture removal."}},{"purpose":"assessment","requirement":"routine","after":{"min":30,"max":90,"unit":"days","qualifier":"First device interrogation and programming check."}}],"indications":["Symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction","Acquired high-grade or complete atrioventricular block","Symptomatic bradycardia with atrial fibrillation (slow ventricular response)","Recurrent syncope from conduction disease or selected reflex syncope"],"main_risks":["Pocket hematoma","Device or pocket infection","Pneumothorax","Lead dislodgement or malfunction requiring repositioning","Cardiac perforation or pericardial effusion (rare)","Venous thrombosis or vein stenosis","Tricuspid regurgitation related to the lead","Bleeding or reaction to anesthesia/medication"],"pain":"Mild to moderate discomfort at the incision/pocket site for a few days, usually managed with simple analgesics; the procedure itself is done under local anesthesia.","preparation":["Cardiology evaluation with ECG and rhythm documentation confirming pacing indication","Pre-procedure blood tests (blood count, coagulation, kidney function)","Review of current medications and allergies by the treating team","Fasting for several hours before the procedure as instructed","Skin preparation of the chest area and informed consent","Arrange transport and help at home after discharge"],"recovery_timeline":[{"phase":"Day 0-1","description":"Observation after implantation; chest X-ray and device check are common before discharge.","restrictions":["No driving on the day of the procedure","Keep the wound dry"]},{"phase":"Week 1-2","description":"Wound healing; discomfort settles; wound check.","restrictions":["No car driving for about one week","Keep the wound dry","Avoid lifting heavy objects with the implant-side arm","Avoid raising the arm above shoulder level vigorously"]},{"phase":"Week 4-6","description":"Leads stabilize; gradual return to full activity per clinician guidance.","restrictions":["Avoid strenuous upper-body exercise until cleared"]},{"phase":"Long term","description":"Regular device checks and battery monitoring.","restrictions":[]}],"rehabilitation_days":{"min":7,"max":14,"unit":"days","qualifier":"Ordinary functional recovery for daily activities after uncomplicated transvenous implantation; no formal rehabilitation program is usually needed."},"result_longevity":"Device battery typically lasts several years (often around 7-12 years depending on device type and pacing use), after which the generator is replaced; leads often last longer.","revision_rate_pct":{"min":2,"max":5,"unit":"percent","qualifier":"Lead repositioning or reintervention within first year, mostly lead dislodgement; excludes routine battery replacement"},"scars":"A small linear scar of a few centimeters below the collarbone, usually fading over time; a visible bulge from the device may be noticeable in thin patients.","sessions_or_stages":{"sessions":{"min":1,"max":1,"unit":"visits","qualifier":"Single implantation procedure."},"stages":[{"code":"implantation","label":"Pacemaker generator and lead implantation","after":{"min":0,"max":0,"unit":"days","qualifier":"Performed in one procedure on the day of treatment."}}],"qualifier":"Standard single-stage transvenous implantation; follow-up checks are not counted as treatment sessions."},"success":{"metric":"Successful lead implantation with symptom relief","value":97,"unit":"percent","horizon":"At implantation and first device check","population":"Adults with symptomatic bradycardia or AV block receiving transvenous pacemaker","evidence_status":"limited"},"techniques":[{"name":"Transvenous single-chamber pacemaker","suits_whom":"Patients needing ventricular pacing only, such as permanent atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular rate.","recovery":"Similar short recovery; return to light activity within days."},{"name":"Transvenous dual-chamber pacemaker","suits_whom":"Patients with sinus node dysfunction or AV block who benefit from atrioventricular synchrony.","recovery":"Similar short recovery; arm-movement precautions for several weeks."},{"name":"Leadless pacemaker","suits_whom":"Selected patients with limited venous access or high infection risk who need single-chamber ventricular pacing.","recovery":"No chest pocket or lead; recovery often quicker with fewer arm restrictions."}],"treatment_conditions":["day_case","inpatient"],"treatment_duration_hours":{"min":1,"max":2,"unit":"hours","qualifier":"Single standard transvenous single- or dual-chamber pacemaker implantation; longer for more complex cases."},"initial_assessment_documents":["12-lead ECG tracing","24-hour Holter monitor report","Echocardiogram report","Cardiology discharge summary or recent clinic letter","List of blood thinners","Recent blood test results"],"travel_trips":{"min":1,"max":1,"one_trip_possible":true,"qualifier":"Single implantation; stay 3-7 days for first wound review and chest X-ray. 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