wire extractions

Does anyone have any experience with pacemaker wire extractions. I am pacemaker dependent and currently have 5 leads inplanted with a fractrued atrial lead which needs to be replaced. Due to crowding in the superior vena cava, before the doctors can replace the broken atrial lead I need to have some of the older leads removed. I think this may be a relatively newer procedure and I fear complications. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

2 Comments

Wire Extraction Experience

by Possum Larry - 2010-03-14 01:03:56

In 2006 I got endocarditus and had to have my PM and all the old wires removed so that the infection could be cleared up. This was a new procedure in 2006 and at first I was told I would have to be transferred from Buffalo, NY to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio as there was no one in Buffalo capable of this procedure.
At the last momemnt they discovered a surgeon in Buffalo that had been trained at the Cleveland Clinic and owned the needed equipment.

The problem with lead removal is that your veins grow around the old leads and the leads become embedded in the vein walls so they cannot be pulled out. The equipment I referred to is a lazer knife that is tubular in shape. The surgeon slips it over the lead and follows it
to the heart while the lazer cuts it loose from the vein wall. I had three pairs of leads on both sides removed.

This is serious surgery but the success rate is very high. When I woke up from the surgery I had no more discomfort than a normal pacemaker implant causes.

I now have a new PM and a single pair of new leads only on my left side. My experience was very positive
and if I had to do it again I would. I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

Hope this helped.
Possum Larry

extraction

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-14 09:03:32

If you do a search, quite a few of our members have had this done. I can think of two who had complications, the rest came through it fine. The procedure is fairly new but it gets more common all the time and the technology gets better every year so it's come a long way in a few years. My advice is find a dr with a lot of experience, even if you have to travel to get it done.

Good luck to you!

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Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.