A method and system for stabilizing an implantable lead system employs a lead having one or more sensing, pacing, or shocking electrodes. A sleeve arrangement of the lead includes one or more first locations comprising a first material that substantially prevents or inhibits tissue in-growth between the first locations and cardiac tissue contacting the first locations. The sleeve arrangement further includes one or more adhesion sites provided at one or more of the first locations. The adhesion sites promote tissue in-growth or attachment between the adhesion sites and cardiac tissue contacting the adhesion sites. The cardiac tissue may represent tissue of a cardiac structure of the heart or coronary vasculature of the heart.