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Leads designed to conduct electrical pacing signals from the pulse generating unit of an implantable cardiac pacemaker into the heart and conduct the bioelectric cardiac signals back to the unit. These leads typically consist of flexible wires that are completely isolated except at the electrode tip that makes contact with the heart. Implantable cardiac pacemaker leads may be directly attached to the myocardial tissue using open surgery (i.e., epicardial leads) or threaded into the heart through the vascular system; the other end of the leads is attached to the pulse generator implanted in the abdomen or chest. A variety of lead systems, including single and multiple lead, subcutaneous array, and patch is available. Lead size, connector type, and other characteristics of the leads must be compatible with the pulse generator and the therapy prescribed.
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