Recycled Pacemakers: Safe & Effective – Study
Discover how recycled pacemakers are offering a lifeline to patients worldwide.A groundbreaking study reveals that these reconditioned devices function just as effectively as new pacemakers, especially in areas with limited access to cardiac therapy. This innovative approach addresses the pressing need for affordable healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, potentially saving countless lives. researchers found compelling evidence during an international clinical trial, showing no notable difference in function between new and recycled pacemakers within the initial 90 days. The study underscores the safety and efficacy of this approach. News Directory 3 is proud to highlight this advancement.The “My Heart Your Heart” program has been sending such devices abroad for over a decade, and the FDA allows the export of refurbished pacemakers. Learn how extraction, resterilisation and more make this innovation possible.Discover what’s next …
Recycled Pacemakers Offer Lifesaving cardiac Therapy Worldwide
Updated June 26, 2025
A study led by the university of Michigan suggests that recycled pacemakers are a viable choice to new devices, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to cardiac therapy is limited. The research highlights the potential of these reconditioned devices to bridge the gap in affordable healthcare.
The findings, presented at the 2024 American Heart Association Scientific sessions, stemmed from an international clinical trial involving nearly 300 participants across seven countries in Africa, North and South America. The trial compared the performance and safety of reconditioned pacemakers against new ones, wiht patients randomly receiving either type of device.
The study revealed no significant differences in pacemaker function within the first 90 days post-implantation. A small number of patients, five in total, developed localized infections at the implantation site; three of these patients had received new devices.
While three deaths occurred in the group receiving reconditioned pacemakers, investigators determined that none were related to the procedure, device infection, or device malfunction. The results suggest recycled pacemakers offer a safe and effective option for patients in need.
Thomas C. Crawford, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center and principal investigator, said the results bring the program closer to large-scale pacemaker donation and reconditioning. He added that pacemaker therapy is frequently enough unaffordable or unavailable in low- and middle-income countries, and the program aims to change that.
it is indeed estimated that hundreds of thousands of people die worldwide due to lack of access to pacemakers. Although implanting recycled pacemakers is not legal in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration permits the export of refurbished devices.
The “My Heart Your Heart” program has been sending reconditioned pacemakers abroad since 2010 for compassionate use cases, where no alternative treatment exists for life-threatening cardiac conditions. These devices come from deceased individuals or patients upgrading to more advanced pacemakers.
The University of Michigan team reconditions pacemakers with more than four years of battery life remaining. The devices are reprocessed in collaboration with World Medical Relief in Southfield, Mich., and Northeast Scientific, Inc., provides free resterilization in Connecticut.Implant Recycling, LLC, a Michigan recycling company, also contributes to the program.
Kim A. Eagle, M.D., founder of the program and a director at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, said the program has been more than a decade in the making. She added that the process of extraction, analysis, sterilization, packaging, implantation and follow-up has been rigorously sought.
Crawford said it is imperative to move forward with the research to reduce the gap in access to lifesaving pacemaker therapy. He added that while the three-month outcomes are encouraging,the six- and 12-month outcomes will be vital in understanding whether the reprocessed pacemakers can function like new ones,with the exception of battery life.
What’s next
The research team plans to continue monitoring participants to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the recycled pacemakers. The longevity of new pacemakers typically exceeds 10 years, depending on usage.