broken lead

Good morning friends!

I have a broken lead wire on a two lead PM (was discovered in early Dec, 2011).  Nothing done about it yet!   I’m not PM dependent.

But I just had a thought that hit me like a bomb! I had 2 stents put in on August 28, 2011. If this wire was broken then wouldn’t at that time - wouldn’t it have shown up on the X-ray during the procedure?  Break was discovered during REGULAR PM check up in December 2011. There are things that happened/still going on that I remember since IRENE came thru in August. Heart doctor says all is ok and says its in the PM doctor’s hands.

Incidently PM has been changed from bipolar to unipolar (or vise versa, I cannot remember which) and back to original (had really bad soreness in chest area) settings with lower chamber being set so it doesn’t get used as much? Getting tired of run-a-round getting ready to get ugly with doctors!

Thanks,
Cecil

4 Comments

broken lead

by manaman - 2012-04-04 01:04:49

Thanks for reply. I understand what you say but I'm sort of a bit off track (not normal) because I feel like a rubber bal in a box car. PM doctor doesn't seem concerned much (next appointment in mid-June) and heart doctor says not his area ( says he's a plumber and I need an electrician). I guess I'm just a bit anxous. Wish they had never told me about the issue. I think the real issue with the PM doctor is I have just over a year before pacemaker (generator) change anyway.
All I can get out of the PM doctor is: We can change the lead by lazer surgery, or we can install another lead beside what's there (if room permits) or we can put unit and wires on opposite side. Seems to me that a lead in the heart is a lead in the heart and that's it. I guess my biggest gripe is I cannot get straight answers. Do you know anyone that has asked for/ and gotten theri print outs from PM check up (interigations)? Or is this asking too much!
Thanks,
Cecil

Well

by Peg541 - 2012-04-04 12:04:02

I wonder if the lead was that dramatically broken it could show on an x ray or was it a break not visible. I imagine a broken lead can show up on interrogation much better than an x ray.
Your doctors are only there to help you. I'd not get ugly with the guy who holds my heart in his hands.
Good luck with this.
Peg

Yes

by Peg541 - 2012-04-05 01:04:16

For three interrogations I have asked the tech for a copy. He's always complied.
Peg

broken lead

by Pookie - 2012-04-05 12:04:21

I am going thru the process (since November) as I was told I may have a broken lead as well - very frustrating.

I couldn't understand why my EP or my Cardiologist didn't send me for an Xray immediately so I got my family doctor to send me for one and the results were: they couldn't tell because your lead can be fractured but your leads are also covered with some kind of sheath, like what is around a wire like on your mouse to your computer....so the only way they can tell is from interrogating your pacemaker on a very regular basis. I went in November and February and I am going again tomorrow.

I don't know if this helps, but just thought I'd share with you what I've been told.

Take care & keep us posted.

Pookie

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

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A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.