Left versus right

Hello
I am 100% pacemaker dependent with a pacemaker/defibrillator. My left vein is now almost full with leads, 4 to be exact that they can not remove. I am due in the next few years for a new device and they will likely need to go from the right side. Can anyone point me to literature that discusses the issues if any associated with right versus left side lead implantation? Thanks. Greg
gwb@whidbey.com

2 Comments

No difference

by golden_snitch - 2011-04-18 02:04:41

Hi Greg!

Don't think it makes any difference, I'd say, otherwise all of us would probably have the pacer on the same side. Some have it on the left, some on the right. And some have had both sides, for example because of a pocket infection on the one side. Never read anything about left versus right side implantation.

As long as your leads are working well, there's no need to change the side, is there? You don't get a new set of leads with every pacer, the leads are supposed to last much longer than a pacer battery (have heard from some who have had their original set of leads for 15-20 years). If you should, however, need new leads at some point, I'd try to find out if some of the old leads can really not be removed. I can imagine that five or six leads in the superior vena cava could cause problems (vena cava superior syndrome).

Best wishes
Inga

Right & Left ?

by donb - 2011-04-18 03:04:15

Hi Greg, I had 2 leads with my first 3 PMs'. Erosion & Scar tissue forced removal of my 3rd PM. I now have 2 more leads with right chest implant. My one left lead of 18 years was bad as my 3rd replacement was quite low under my collar bone and being very active didn't help the lead problem.
I sweated out the lead removal bit but is not impossible with todays laser technology. I wouldn't get too excited, you may never need lead removal. I do want to mention that I am so much more comfortable with my right Implant. Don't know why as I'm right handed and haven't smacked my right implant once in 2 years. Also find in cramped space under vehicles works better, seemed like working with tools right handed that the left chest always caught the brunt. donb

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