What is a steroid eluting lead designed to do?

A steroid eluting lead is specifically designed to slowly release steroids, which serve to reduce inflammation at the lead site. This mechanism is crucial in managing the body’s response to the presence of the implanted lead in cardiac pacing systems. When a lead is implanted, the body often reacts with an inflammatory response, which can lead to complications such as lead malfunction or loss of capture over time. By releasing steroids gradually, the lead can mitigate this inflammation, leading to better long-term outcomes, improved lead stability, and preservation of pacing function.

The design of steroid eluting leads intentionally incorporates the property of controlled drug release, allowing for a sustained effect that addresses the challenges posed by tissue response. As a result, the use of such leads can contribute significantly to the durability and performance of pacing devices in clinical practice.