UT Health Tyler Is Among The First Hospitals In The U.S. To Implant First-of-Its-Kind Extravascular Defibrillator To Treat Patients With Abnormal Heart Rhythms
Raul Torres-Heisecke, MD, FHRS
Tyler, Texas (September 19, 2025) — Physicians at UT Health East Texas are one of the first in the country to successfully implant a novel extravascular defibrillator to treat patients with dangerously fast heart rhythms, a condition that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The Medtronic Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (EV-ICD) system, which is composed of the Aurora EV-ICD™ MRI SureScan™, the Epsila EV™ MRI SureScan™ defibrillation lead, and proprietary implant tools, recently received FDA approval.
The first Aurora EV-ICD system implants at UT Health Tyler were performed by Raul Torres-Heisecke, MD, FHRS, and patients are continuing to see success six months later as more procedures have been successfully completed.
The Aurora EV-ICD system is a first-of-its-kind defibrillator with the lead placed under the breastbone, outside of the heart and veins. It delivers lifesaving defibrillation and anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy all in one system via a single implanted device that is similar in size, shape, and projected longevity to traditional, transvenous ICDs.
“The Aurora EV-ICD system allows us to offer patients the benefits of traditional ICDs, while reducing certain risks that come with placing leads in the heart or veins,” said Dr. Torres-Heisecke. “We strive to deliver high-quality patient care, and this technology is another step forward in providing our patients with the latest clinical advancements to manage their cardiac condition. The Aurora allows a new option to treat dangerous heart arrhythmia in patients with heart failure and/or with a high risk of sudden death that will not be a candidate for transvenous systems due to issues related to blockages in veins or even personal preference.”
The Aurora EV-ICD is implanted below the left armpit, and the Epsila EV defibrillation lead is placed under the breastbone using a minimally invasive approach. Placing the leads outside the heart and veins is designed to help avoid long-term complications that may be associated with transvenous leads, such as vessel occlusion (narrowing, blockage or compression of a vein) and risks for blood infections.
The Medtronic EV ICD system recently was evaluated in a worldwide pivotal study, involving 356 patients at 46 hospitals in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. In the study, the EV ICD System achieved a defibrillation success rate of 98.7% and met its safety endpoints of freedom from major system and/or procedural complications at six months after implant. Results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes nine hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive eight-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.
