Pacemaker and defibrillator leads and central venous catheters placed by commonly recommended techniques have been found to pass through the subclavius muscle, the costocoracoid ligament, or the costoclavicular ligament before entering veins medial to the first rib. Entrapment by these soft tissues subjects leads and catheters to stresses imposed by movements of the ipsilateral upper extremity. Accordingly, a new approach has been developed that introduces the lead or catheter into the subclavian vein near the lateral border of the first rib. This placement avoids soft tissue entrapment and may extend the longevity of leads and catheters.