Overview
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu says the two‑centimeter device, adapted from Abbott’s AVEIR platform, was implanted within hours of the February 2 birth.
- Fetal monitoring had identified complete atrioventricular block with severe bradycardia and cardiac dilation, prompting an early delivery.
- A provisional pacemaker stabilized the baby, followed by definitive implantation by a multidisciplinary team led by surgeon Stefano Congiu with 16 specialists and engineers.
- Spain’s medicines agency AEMPS granted urgent authorization in about five hours for the bespoke device, according to the hospital.
- After 20 days in hospital, the infant was discharged in stable condition, and doctors expect a normal life with periodic follow‑up as standard six‑centimeter units are too large for newborns.