New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8000
Cardiothoracic surgeons at UT Southwestern have the expertise to safely and efficiently remove leads from surgically implanted cardiac devices.
By extracting leads that are infected or damaged, we help limit health complications and take the first steps necessary to restore proper heart rhythm.
A lead is a thin, flexible wire that delivers energy from a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to the heart. It usually travels through a vein to enter the right side of the heart and is screwed directly into the heart muscle.
When leads are not working properly, most commonly because of device infection, they need to be surgically removed. This is called a lead extraction.
Lead extraction is a complex procedure that requires the expertise of a skilled cardiac surgeon. UT Southwestern is one of only a few medical centers to perform laser lead extraction, a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to cut through the scar tissue and easily remove a lead. Our surgeons complete over 150 extractions per year, making UT Southwestern highest volume lead extraction center in Texas.
Our center is ranked in the nation’s top 15 hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-2023. Our clinicians apply the latest research findings in cardiovascular medicine to give patients access to the most up-to-date treatments.
Our surgeons complete over 150 extractions per year, making UT Southwestern highest volume lead extraction center in Texas.
Pacemakers and ICDs are surgically implanted cardiac devices that help regulate abnormal heart rhythms. Pacemakers help a heart with a slow or irregular beat run steadily. ICDs are similar to pacemakers, but they can also deliver a shock to reset an abnormal heartbeat if necessary.
Typically, the leads of these cardiac devices stay in the body permanently. However, in certain situations, they need to be removed. These situations include:
Less commonly, lead extraction may be necessary because of:
Our doctors recommend lead extraction after carefully weighing all aspects of a patient’s medical circumstances.
At UT Southwestern, we have a very high-volume program for helping patients with either pacemaker or defibrillator leads that have had problems and need to be removed. Watch this video for more information about the program and our heart experts, who specialize in this unique form of treatment and care.
Our skilled surgeons have extensive experience performing lead extractions.
Patients may undergo tests before their lead extraction, such as:
The night before their procedure, patients should not eat or drink anything after midnight.
We may also recommend stopping certain medications, such as aspirin, a few days before the procedure.
Lead extraction typically takes two to six hours. Our surgical team includes a cardiologist as well as specially trained nurses and technicians.
Most patients receive general anesthesia, which means they are in a sleep-like state during the procedure and don’t feel any pain.
To remove the leads, the doctor first makes an incision near the pacemaker or ICD and disconnects the device from the lead or leads that are to be extracted.
A sheath is then placed inside the vein and over the lead. The sheath is attached to a laser, which delivers energy to remove the scar tissue at the end of the lead. This detaches the lead from the inside of the vein and allows the doctor to safely remove it.
New leads may be placed in a patient’s heart during the procedure or a later date.
After lead extraction, patients will stay in the hospital two to 10 days. If a new pacemaker or ICD is not implanted during the procedure, the patient may be hospitalized until that surgery.
Patients whose leads were removed through their femoral vein will need to lay in bed for several hours after the procedure.
Lead extraction is generally very safe, though it’s not without risk. Potential complications include:
These risks may increase if the patient:
We provide a comprehensive range of support services for patients and their families, including programs related to cardiac rehabilitation and clinical nutrition for heart health.
Learn more about heart-related support services at UT Southwestern.
Search for opportunities to participate in a heart or vascular research study.
We’re one of the world’s top academic medical centers, with a unique legacy of innovation in patient care and scientific discovery.
Clinical Heart and Vascular Center
Leaders in Heart and Vascular Care
Combining attentive, compassionate care with our extensive clinical and research resources, UT Southwestern's cardiology experts and vascular specialists deliver individualized care within pre-eminent health care facilities.
Results: 1 Locations
