Mayfield resident Hillard Bean is no stranger to heart disease. He’s undergone more than a dozen cardiac procedures, including open-heart surgery in 1993. A pacemaker was implanted in Bean in order to keep his heartbeat at an appropriate rate. When one of the leads, or thin, flexible wires placed in the heart to help keep the rhythm of the pacemaker consistent, became displaced, Bean’s cardiologist, Dr. James Gwinn, used an exciting new technology to correct the problem.

“The laser sheath applies ultraviolet low-temperature cutting laser energy to the tissue surrounding the lead,” explains Dr. Gwinn. “The laser cuts through the scar tissue so that the lead can be easily extracted.”

According to Dr. Gwinn, using lasers to extract leads results in many benefits to the patient, including less infection and pain and quicker recovery times.

“I feel really good now,” says Bean. “I’m beginning to get my strength back and am improving every day.”

Dr. Gwinn says that new technology, such as the laser lead extraction, demonstrates Western Baptist’s commitment to caring for its cardiac patients.