Lead management program

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) deliver pacing and defibrillation (shocking) therapy through wires called leads. The leads can break down over time and malfunction. Occasionally a pacemaker system will need to be upgraded to an ICD system. In both of these clinical scenarios (and in many others) new leads have to be added. Whenever a new lead is added a decision needs to be made about what to do with the leads that have malfunctioned or are no longer needed. The leads can be left in place (abandoned) or removed (extracted). There are benefits and risks to each approach. Whereas many cardiologists implant leads, very few have trained to extract them. 

Spectrum Health is the only hospital system in Grand Rapids and the surrounding community with a lead management program and lead management clinic. The purpose of the lead management clinic is to offer patients a consultation with a lead management expert to ensure they understand the available options for treatment of a lead-related issue. The lead management clinic consultation helps patients to understand the benefits and risks of each course of action. For every patient, the risk of abandoning a lead needs to be weighed against the risk of lead extraction.

We have electrophysiology experts in lead management that are board certified. Our annual volume of lead extraction procedures is among the highest in the State of Michigan. We have state-of-the-art facilities and perform all of the extraction procedures in hybrid operating suites using the newest advancements in technology. We work as a team in collaboration with infectious disease, cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesia to care for patients that need lead extraction. We have a proven track record in safe and successful lead extraction.