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Leading Cardiac Care
University of Mississippi Health Care Scores Another FirstThe University of Mississippi Health Care (UMHC) has landed another first in cardiac care statewide.
University Heart, a component of UMHC, has acquired an excimer laser system for cardiac lead removal, making it the first cardiac care center in the state to offer laser lead removal.
"Leads are usually very easy to put in but very difficult to take out," said Mark Borganelli, MD, an associate professor of cardiology who specializes in electrophysiology.
More than 2 million Americans rely on a pacemaker, in which cardiac leads are used to regulate the heartbeat. Of those patients, about one in five can expect a lead malfunction within a decade of having their devices implanted. A buildup of binding scar tissue surrounding the lead is normally the problem that involves removing the leads once they have been in the body for a period of time.
Cardiac leads should be removed if they pose an imminent health danger or have the potential to become problematic, said Borganelli, adding that the laser system facilitates the procedure.
The innovative technology works by emitting bursts of light energy to dissolve fibrous tissue into tiny particles that can be absorbed in the blood stream. The physician guides a sheath with a ring of laser energy over the cardiac lead to cut away the binding scar tissue along the length of the lead, said Borganelli. Tags:NoneBookmark:
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