Are Leads "Model Device Specific"

I will discuss the below with my doctor at my next visit, however, I wanted to get some feedback from the site prior thereto.

I have a dual lead Medtronic pacemaker that will be "up for replacement" in the next couple of years. In researching other manufacturer's models and what they have to offer, a thought occurred to me regarding leads.

Generally, when pacers are replaced it is my understanding that (if the leads are still good), they unplug the old from the leads and plug back in a new.

Are leads "manufacturer model specific?" For example, can my Medtronic be replaced by a Guidant using the existing leads?

7 Comments

I hear ya...

by Becky - 2009-05-27 01:05:58

Thanks for the info. Guidant was the only other manufacturer that came to mind while I was typing the message... I'm a scuba diver and will be researching other manufacturer's models which are depth approved (pressure tested) for deeper than my Medtronic's 50 feet limit. I've researched some through this site and see where other manufacturer's may meet this requirement, however, then thought of the lead question which could have limited my options. Thanks again.

leads

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-27 02:05:51

They should be more or less interchangeable. Check out St Judes, I think they go deeper. Also, search (or look through) the posts from earlier this week, someone posted some excellent information on diving with a pm. St Judes go a lot deeper than I thought they did.

Let's not forget Guidant's fraud

by ted - 2009-05-27 06:05:26

Of course you have to do what is best for you. But when selecting a product, I hope that we never forget that Guidant hid news about it's defective pacers and ICD's and people kept dying while Guidant kept on selling it's dangerous products. Boycott Guidant.

leads

by SaraTB - 2009-05-27 09:05:48

1. Please remember that Guidant is now called Boston Scientific, and was bought out after the recall issues. It has entirely new management and cannot really be compared with the 'old' Guidant.
2. I have Medtronic leads (don't forget that Medtronic has had lead recalls too) with a Boston Scientific PM. They work perfectly together.
3. Your EP should discuss with you the most appropriate PM for your needs. Mine went to great lengths to discuss the options for me.

Guidant (Boston Scientific) never owned up

by ted - 2009-05-28 04:05:20

While Boston Scientific bought Guidant and changed the name and assumed it's liabilities, don't believe for a minute that much changed other than the name. Boston Scientific never owned up to Guidant's dispicable conduct and I don't believe that the responsible culprits were ever fired or brought to justice. Boston Scientific is the same old Guidant. Only the name has been changed to fool people who have short memories.

Guidant with Medtronic

by ddk - 2009-05-28 11:05:22

I'm on my 3rd pacemaker. I have Medtronic wires and have had them be successful in a Guidant. No problems.

Depth rating

by ElectricFrank - 2009-05-28 12:05:01

Be sure and check on the combined depth rating of the pacemaker and leads since this is important to you. To be rated for the deeper use the leads and pacemaker need to be tested together. There is a seal at the point where the leads plug into the pacer.

My suggestion is to call the support numbers for both Medtronic and the pacer manufacturer you are considering and ask about the depth rating of the combination.

frank

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I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.