Abstract: A medical electrical lead which features an improved anchoring sleeve. Specifically the anchoring sleeve has a first end and a second end and further has a series of circumferential suture grooves thereabout. A longitudinally extending slot is provided across each circumferential suture groove. Each slot extends across each groove but is separate from every other slot. In such a manner the area of the anchoring sleeve may be compressed in the area of the groove due to the relevant slot. Because each slot, however, only extends across one groove, the lead body is not otherwise easily compressed in the area away from each groove. Thus the sleeve does not unintentionally engage with and frictionally interfere with the lead body therethrough unless so intended. In the preferred embodiment the anchoring sleeve has three circumferential grooves, each groove having a slot through the anchor sleeve which extends across.