Pacemakers in Modern Cardiology and Their Transition From Traditional to Leadless Models

Cardiac rhythm disorders are a major subset of cardiovascular diseases and continue to pose significant global health challenges. Pacemakers remain central to their management, with evolving technologies offering improved therapeutic outcomes. This narrative review traces the progression of pacemaker technology from traditional cardiac pacemakers (TCPs) to leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs), emphasizing key differentiators such as implantation techniques, complication profiles, and long-term clinical performance. While TCPs have proven effective, they are associated with issues like lead-related complications, infections, and mechanical failures. In contrast, LCPs, which are implanted via minimally invasive transcatheter approaches and lack transvenous leads, significantly reduce these risks, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and fewer hospitalizations. Although limited to single-chamber pacing and higher initial costs, LCPs may prove cost-effective over time due to lower complication-related expenses. This review synthesizes current evidence on safety, efficacy, and patient outcomes and explores recent advancements, including multicomponent systems, energy-harvesting mechanisms, and biocompatible materials. Many of these innovations are in preclinical or early clinical stages but hold promise for broader applicability and long-term sustainability. Despite challenges, the trajectory of pacemaker technology underscores its potential to revolutionize cardiac care, driven by increasing clinical adoption of leadless systems, evolving regulatory approvals, and a growing emphasis on equitable access and personalized management.