MercyOne Iowa Heart Center Performs Groundbreaking Cardiac Defibrillator Procedure

Des Moines, Iowa; November 4, 2024 – MercyOne Iowa Heart Center is proud to lead in cardiac innovation with its Extravascular (EV) Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) program. This groundbreaking defibrillator, developed by Medtronic, combines the benefits of a traditional ICD with reduced infection and lead-related risks. 

Recently, MercyOne physicians Jason Meyers, MD and Dwayne Campbell, MD, completed Iowa’s first commercial EV ICD cases, building on their years of involvement in pivotal studies led by fellow MercyOne electrophysiologist Troy Hounshell, DO. Our team also hosted Medtronic representatives and physicians from China for international training. Together, we’re advancing patient care both locally and globally. 

The Extravascular (EV) ICD is a novel defibrillator system produced by Medtronic that combines some benefits of a traditional ICD (antitachycardia pacing and smaller size) with the benefits of a non-transvenous device (lower infection rates, preserving venous access). 

“This is another great example of MercyOne Iowa Heart Center working at the forefront of innovation, both locally and globally, to help bring the latest technology and therapies to advance the health of our patients,” said Dr. Campbell. 

The MercyOne Iowa Heart Center has been involved in this technology since 2019. The device gained FDA approval in Oct 2023.