What Is a Pacemaker and How Does It Work?

FDA approves the world’s smallest artificial cardiac pacemaker. | Hashem Al-Ghaili

While pacemaker leads are designed to be permanent, extraction of the leads is sometimes necessary due to complications or changes in a patient’s condition. Common reasons include: 👉 Infection of the pocket or leads (most frequent cause) 👉 Lead malfunction (fracture, insulation failure) 👉 Venous obstruction or scar tissue buildup 👉 Chronic pain linked to the system 👉 Device upgrades or need for MRI compatibility Lead extraction carries risk and requires expertise, and hence it is important