Community Memorial Healthcare is proud to announce that electrophysiologist Jonathan Dukes, MD recently became the first physician in the United States to implant the new Medtronics Micra AV2 implant — the latest, upgraded version of a dual-chamber sensing ventricular pacemaker.
The Micra AV2 is the newest and more efficient version of Medtronic’s minimally invasive treatment option for patients with heart block and/or slow heart rate. Once implanted, the device has an average lifespan of 16 years, meaning most patients only need one device for life. The procedure was performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura.
“This milestone achievement by Dr. Dukes and the Community Memorial Cath Lab team is another example of how we are bringing leading-edge technology to our community,” said Mick Zdeblick, Community Memorial President & Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud of our Heart & Vascular program for continuing to lead the region by offering a number of procedures typically only available at larger medical centers.”
The Community Memorial Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (also known as the Cath Lab) is equipped with highly specialized technology designed to diagnose and treat cardiac, neurological, and vascular diseases. Procedures performed in the Cath Lab range from diagnostic heart catheterizations and ablations to advanced structural heart procedures such as TAVR, Watchman™, and MitraClip™.
Dr. Dukes is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology, and Cardiovascular Medicine. Electrophysiology is the subspecialty of cardiology that diagnoses and manages electrical problems of the heart, including atrial fibrillation and cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
