bipolar lead
A cardiac lead with both positive and negative electrodes located at the distal tip within the heart.
Full Definition
A bipolar lead is a cardiac pacing or sensing lead configuration where both the anode (positive electrode) and cathode (negative electrode) are positioned at the distal end of the lead, typically within 1-2 cm of each other inside the heart chamber. This configuration provides more focused electrical fields, reduced susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, and better signal-to-noise ratios compared to unipolar leads. Bipolar leads are preferred in most clinical applications due to their superior sensing characteristics and reduced risk of muscle stimulation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify lead polarity in technical documentation to distinguish from unipolar configurations.
In Context
- "The bipolar lead configuration eliminated the electromagnetic interference seen with the previous unipolar system." — Device troubleshooting report
- "Bipolar lead sensing provided excellent R-wave amplitudes without oversensing artifacts." — Lead performance evaluation