title: Extraction of Sterile Leads: Is it Beneficial?
abstract: Extraction of sterile leads remains a controversial area. The risks and benefits of abandoning a lead are largely unknown, whereas the risks of lead extraction are better studied. Lead management decisions need to be made on a patient-by-patient basis, with important input from the patient and family. This article presents several representative cases and reviews the major considerations in making the decision of whether or not to extract a sterile lead that has become either no longer needed or no longer functional.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, UHN-62, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie 568, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Henrikson
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie 568, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brinker