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Lead Extraction

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Removal of a lead that connects a pacemaker to your heart

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

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A pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device that delivers electrical impulses to your heart through a special wire called a lead. A lead may need to be removed for several reasons, including:

  • Damage to the lead
  • Infection
  • Formation of a large amount of scar tissue at the tip of the lead
  • Recall by the manufacturer

The experts in our Electrophysiology Program work closely with cardiac surgeons to safely extract cardiac device leads.

What to expect when a lead is extracted

Your doctor may ask you to not eat or drink before the procedure. Ask your doctor about any medications you are currently taking and whether you should take them the day of the surgery. You will be placed under general anesthesia and remain unconscious during the extraction.

Your doctor will make a small incision in the upper chest or the groin to access a vein. A small tube called a sheath is inserted into the blood vessel and guided to the lead using X-ray images. The sheath is threaded over the lead, and a laser or small drill is used to detach the lead from the heart tissue. The lead and sheath are then removed.

You will be moved to a recovery area to be monitored overnight. You will likely be able to go home the day after the procedure, but you will need someone to drive you.

Electrophysiology Program

We are leaders in developing and using the latest procedures and technologies to treat heart rhythm disorders, and our cardiac electrophysiology laboratory is one of the most sophisticated in North America.

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Tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.

Fluoroscopy

A fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam passed through the body to create real-time, moving images of your internal structures.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

Transesophageal echocardiogram allows us to take very detailed images of your heart structure from a probe in your esophagus.

Physicians

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18 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Rafique Ahmed, MD
Dr. Rafique Ahmed, MD
Electrophysiology
(151)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
410-554-6727
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Dr. David A. Strouse, MD
Dr. David A. Strouse, MD
Electrophysiology
(375)
3020 Hamaker Court Suite 502 Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 208-7257
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Dr. Athanasios Thomaides, MD
Dr. Athanasios Thomaides, MD
Electrophysiology
(286)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 5th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(301) 877-5677
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Dr. Edward V. Platia, MD
Dr. Edward V. Platia, MD
Electrophysiology
(163)
110 Irving Street Northwest 5th Floor Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7685
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Dr. Sunjeet Singh Sidhu, MD
Dr. Sunjeet Singh Sidhu, MD
Electrophysiology | Internal Medicine
3001 South Hanover Street Outpatient Center Floor 2 Baltimore, MD 21225
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Dr. Margaret B. Fischer, MD
Dr. Margaret B. Fischer, MD
Electrophysiology | Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease
(303)
3020 Hamaker Court Suite 502 Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 208-7257
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Dr. Sung W. Lee, MD
Dr. Sung W. Lee, MD
Electrophysiology
7501 Surratts Road Suite 304 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-5677
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Dr. Manish H. Shah, MD
Dr. Manish H. Shah, MD
Electrophysiology
(299)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 5A-14 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7685
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Dr. Sarfraz A. Durrani, MD
Dr. Sarfraz A. Durrani, MD
Electrophysiology
(356)
3020 Hamaker Court Suite 502 Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 208-7257
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Dr. Zayd Adnan Eldadah, MD, PhD
Dr. Zayd Adnan Eldadah, MD, PhD
Electrophysiology
(392)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC 20007
(202) 877-7685
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Dr. Glenn Robert Meininger, MD
Dr. Glenn Robert Meininger, MD
Electrophysiology
(182)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6727
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Dr. Seth J. Worley, MD
Dr. Seth J. Worley, MD
Electrophysiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7685
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Dr. Cyrus A. Hadadi, MD
Dr. Cyrus A. Hadadi, MD
Electrophysiology
505 Bryn Street Cambridge, MD 21613
(202) 877-7685
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Dr. Walter L. Atiga, MD
Dr. Walter L. Atiga, MD
Electrophysiology
8640 Sudley Road Suite 302 Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 208-7257
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Dr. Jay Aaron Mazel, MD
Dr. Jay Aaron Mazel, MD
Electrophysiology
(325)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Michael S. Goldstein, MD
Dr. Michael S. Goldstein, MD
Electrophysiology
(394)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Susan O'Donoghue, MD
Dr. Susan O'Donoghue, MD
Electrophysiology
(251)
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 5A-12 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7685
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Dr. David J. Schamp, MD
Dr. David J. Schamp, MD
Electrophysiology
(151)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6727
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Locations

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6 locations found
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 East University Parkway Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2266
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MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Road MedStar St Mary's Hospital Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-8981
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MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street Northwest Washington, DC 20010
202-877-3627
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-2400
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MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Drive MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Road MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 877-4367
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