Medtronic PLC’s investigational EV-ICD system, which uses leads placed outside the heart and under the rib cage, was the subject of two presentations at the HRS meeting showing that the “extravascular” lead placement may provide the same benefits as conventional ICDs with pacing functions, but without the risks of fracture and infection associated with transvenous epicardial leads leads, which are difficult to remove.
Although still in its earliest stages, Medtronic is no-doubt hoping EV-ICD can compete with or supplant Boston Scientific Corp.'s...