Lead Extract Study

The recent expansion of indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has changed the population of patients being implanted. Younger and healthier patients are now being implanted for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Due to the younger population, the likelihood of the lead failing during the lifetime of the patient is higher and also more likely to need extraction. To reduce the risk of the lead extraction procedure and therefore reduce the number of abandon leads, ICD lead manufacturers are designing leads to offer improved chronic extractability to reduce the morbidity and mortality during these procedures.