epicardial lead
A pacing lead attached to the outer surface of the heart muscle rather than inserted through blood vessels.
Full Definition
An epicardial lead is a cardiac device component that is surgically placed on the epicardium (outer surface of the heart) to deliver electrical stimulation. Unlike transvenous leads that are threaded through blood vessels, epicardial leads require open-chest or minimally invasive surgical placement. They are commonly used in pediatric patients, those with congenital heart disease, or when vascular access is compromised. The placement technique and associated surgical risks differ significantly from standard transvenous lead implantation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the surgical approach when discussing epicardial lead placement in device documentation.
In Context
- "The pediatric patient required epicardial lead placement due to inadequate vascular access." — Clinical case report
- "Epicardial lead systems demonstrated comparable longevity to transvenous systems in this cohort." — Research study