MARSHFIELD, WIS – Marshfield Clinic is using the newest technology to help treat dangerous heart arrhythmias for patients. Marshfield Clinic performed the first implant in Wisconsin of the Medtronic OmniaSecure, the world’s smallest Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) lead to achieve cardiac resynchronization therapy, in January for a patient at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.
This new technology brings patients’ heart rhythms back to their natural patterns while being less invasive. This is the smallest and thinnest defibrillator lead. The procedure marks a significant milestone for cardiac care in the state and positions Marshfield Clinic among the earliest adopters of this new technology nationwide.
“Performing a first‑in‑state, launch‑day implant requires precision, coordination, and a team ready to rise to the moment,” said Electrophysiologist Dr. Weijia Wang, who performed the procedure. “I’m incredibly proud of the expertise and readiness our staff demonstrated — and most importantly, we delivered an excellent outcome for our patient.”
An ICD lead is a specialized, insulated wire that connects an ICD generator to the patient’s heart. This wire plays a critical and delicate role in monitoring heart rhythms, providing pacing, and delivering life‑saving therapy for dangerous arrhythmia.
Medtronic launched the OmniaSecure™ ICD lead commercially in the United States on Jan. 8. On the same day, Marshfield Clinic was the first in Wisconsin — and among the first nationally — to use the device for left bundle branch area pacing. Using this advanced pacing approach, Marshfield Clinic electrophysiologists successfully corrected a patient’s left bundle branch block (LBBB) and delivered “Single‑Lead cardiac resynchronization” to treat heart failure.
Traditional cardiac resynchronization therapy typically requires two or three leads. This new approach with fewer components means less trauma to vessels during implantation, a quicker post-procedure recovery and reduced long‑term maintenance issues.
“Patients who have their conduction problem fixed may experience more energy, perform daily tasks better, have fewer heart failure-related hospitalizations,” Wang said.
Dr. Wang said the first patient is “doing excellent,” and her energy level has improved since the procedure. Marshfield Clinic has now performed the procedure on a total of six patients.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
