Pritzker Olsen law firm is actively investigating possible claims of medical malpractice in the surgical removal of leads for implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. We are representing the family of a man who died when a cardiac surgeon attempted to remove a lead. He left behind a wife and young sons.

It is a frequent occurrence for heart leads to eventually wear out or fail. Therefore, a physician must decide whether to remove the old lead before placing a new lead or simply leave the old lead in place. Removal of an old lead is a very difficult and challenging procedure because the lead may have become overgrown with fibrous tissue and therefore stuck inside a major blood vessel. Extracting the lead can be dangerous but leaving it in place can make it more difficult to remove later because of the growth of fibrous tissue.

Removing a lead is typically challenging because of the growth of this fibrous tissue. Therefore, it is important that a physician be well trained. The Heart Rhythm Society, a group representing doctors who implant heart devices, plans to issue guidelines about lead extractions later this year. The Society is expected to urge doctors to perform at least 30 removals under the supervision of an experienced extraction surgeon before operating solo. This is because there is a very long and difficult “learning curve” for the removal of these devices which is often done with laser. This is known as “laser lead extraction.”

Common manufacturers are Medtronic, St. Jude, and Boston Scientific. One of the most common leads is the Sprint Fidelis lead manufactured by Medtronic.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of complications during a cardiac lead extraction, please contact Elliot Olsen or Fred Pritzker for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

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Labels: heart surgery malpractice, malpractice attorney