Lead Management

Cardiac devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) can become infected or stop working, requiring them to be removed or replaced. During the procedure, the device is removed and disconnected from the wire lead. Using pulsed laser energy, the scar tissue is vaporized, and the lead is removed. In certain situations, new implants can be placed at the same time.

Lead wire extraction and replacement are performed in our hybrid operating room (OR) at West Medical Center.  The hybrid OR has a specialized camera and video systems to project ultra-clear, high-definition images on flat screen monitors, giving our doctors the best possible view of the surgical area and allowing advanced, image-guided heart and vascular procedures.