Banner Health has become the first health system in the western United States and among the first nationwide to implant the OmniaSecure defibrillation lead, which is currently the smallest device of its kind available. The new technology is intended for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest and aims to improve safety by reducing potential complications.
The OmniaSecure lead connects to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). At 1.6 millimeters in diameter, it is designed to be less invasive while maintaining effectiveness. The device monitors heart rhythms and can deliver electrical therapy if dangerous patterns are detected.
“This smaller lead represents a meaningful step forward in how we protect our patients and is the first of its kind to be able to provide pacing delivered into the native conduction system-which is termed physiological pacing,” said Roderick Tung, MD, director of Banner – University Medicine Heart Institute and division chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. “Artificial pacemakers negatively impact the synchronization of the heart and this lead has the ability to maintain the natural impulse and deliver life-saving shocks with a single miniaturized lead technology. Essentially, this lead can provide two functions in one, which is great for patients as multiple leads increases the chances of obstruction of blood flow and valve leakage.”
The device has received FDA approval for use in both adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, making it accessible to younger patients who previously had limited options.
Banner Health’s adoption of this technology reflects its ongoing efforts to bring advanced medical care to Arizona and other western states. The organization operates across several states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming (official website). It ranks among the largest nonprofit health systems nationally (official website), offering services such as hospitals, health insurance plans, outpatient centers, urgent care locations (official website), as well as providing significant community benefits through its nonprofit activities (official website). Banner Health’s headquarters are located in Arizona (official website).
