How to Remove Cardiac Lead With Lasers

A lead wire connects your pacemaker or ICD (cardioverter defibrillator generator) to your heart muscle. A lead extraction will be conducted to remove a damaged lead, if an infection has developed around the lead, when the lead interferes with blood flow to your heart or when the lead uses more energy than your pacemaker or ICD is able to produce. A lead extraction requires staying in the hospital to monitor you for possible complications, such as a pulmonary embolism.

Instructions

• 1

  Start an intravenous line.

  Put on a hospital gown, and get fitted with an IV. You may be given antibiotics via your IV to prevent the development of infection.

• 2

  Have your chest hair removed.

  Get your chest shaved and cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Sterile drapes will be placed over your body.

• 3

  Keep your hands down by your sides to prevent contact with the sterile drapes. If necessary, allow a nurse to restrain your wrists to keep movement of your hands minimal.

• 4

  Tell your surgical team if something is wrong.

  Undergo anesthesia, which will be done with medications through your IV or with general anesthesia. If you don't undergo general anesthesia and feel discomfort during your procedure, immediately alert your anesthesiologist.

• 5

  Let your surgeon make an incision on your upper chest and place a sheath (a tube) that will be guided to the lead being removed. Your surgeon will then use a laser to blast short bursts of laser energy to destroy embedded tissue around the lead, as stated by arrhythmia.org. Get fitted with new leads if recommended by your physician.