Method and apparatus for shunting induced currents in an electrical lead

A medical electrical lead for an implantable medical device having a sensor to sense a predetermined physiological condition, comprising:

• an elongate body;
• an electrode;
• a component coupled to the elongate body to limit the flow of current through the electrode upon detection of the predetermined physiological condition.

A method of utilizing a medical electrical lead, wherein the lead includes an elongate body and an electrode coupled to the elongate body, comprising the steps of:

• a.) providing a primary current path within the elongate body to the electrode;
• b.) limiting current in the primary current path when a predetermined condition is present within the medical electrical lead;
• c.) providing at least one secondary current path to carry current when the predetermined condition is sensed.