PC due for replacement

My Medtronics dual chamber PM was implanted in 2005. I was told very likely I will need a replacement this year, 2014. My questions are
1. If I stay with same manufacture's product, do the leads need to be replaced?

2. If I switch brand, say Biotronics, do the leads need to be replaced?

4 Comments

Basic questions to ask yourself

by simmsl - 2014-03-09 03:03:45

1. Are you happy with your current device?
2. Are your old Medtronic leads called 5076? If they are then they are NOW (as of 2 years ago'ish) MRI leads which means you can have an MRI scan without the leads being ripped out of your chest.
3. However an MRI scan center will not touch you unless you have a matching MRI device that is from the same company. So must be a Medtronic generator.

a. As Tracey mentioned above your leads will be left alone and are good for many , many years to come.
b. If you are unhappy with your device above then could look at a different company dependant on what the issues are.

Replace or just move the lead

by Terry - 2014-03-09 04:03:11

Great that you are involved with your health management. Be real cautions if your ventricular lead is pacing in the apex of the right ventricle because it bypasses the cardiac conduction system, not good to mess with mother nature.. See PacemakerPatientAdvocacy.com

leads

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-09 09:03:54

Leads are interchangeable between brands of pm so you can change from Medtronic to Biotronic and keep the same leads. Leads are only replaced if there is a problem. Leads last on average 15 years but we have members with leads 30+ years old still going strong.

Thanks for those helpful comments

by mrhanchang - 2014-03-10 10:03:05

Thanks for the valuable responses. They help me a lot.

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