Removal of old leads

Hello everyone

Long time no talk to. I've been reading quietly for quite a long time and have been impressed with the support and experience associated with this group, good job.

PM number 27 is nearing the end of its life after 3 years. The new unit will have a defib in it and therefore will require an additional lead. Along with that, a biventricular device is being considered requiring an additional lead for the other ventricle. My long history with PM's through the last 41 years has resulted in 8 old leads being abandoned in my veins because at the time it was the safest option. To make a long story short, extracting these abandoned leads has been put on the table as I'm running out of space. As I'm sure many of you know extracting the leads has always been significantly harder than placing them, hence the reason so many of mine were abandoned. My question to you is has lead extraction technology developed to the point that its much easier now than it has been in the past,

Thanks for the help
Rod

6 Comments

Good Luck Rod!

by mandogrl - 2008-09-13 11:09:59

I've never had to have that, I've read many of the members' stories of lead extraction, so I'm sure the good informative answers will be coming your way soon. Good luck with the procedure!

I had lead extraction...

by Pacing13 - 2008-09-14 05:09:53

Hi Rod - I actually just had 4 leads removed in late June. The surgeon that did mine has performed lead extration (300+) many times as it is becoming more common.

It was my 4th pacemaker implant with my first lead extraction. I had 4 removed with two new put in. It was a tough recovery for me as my chest was very sore. I had chest pains as well as tightness that never seemed to go away. But in time...it all has gone away. Time being the key word as it does take time to get back to normal.

Good luck!
Pacing13

A site to check out

by pacepal - 2008-09-14 06:09:23

Hi Rod.....I have not met with a need for lead extraction,but,
here is an interesting & informative site for you to read.
http://www.leadextraction.com/
I hope this information is helpful. Good Luck with your procedure and keep us informed with follow-up...we all learn so much from each other on this site. Karen

Replacement

by rayan - 2008-09-14 09:09:25

I have had a ICD/ PM replaced 2 weeks ago. The first surgeon, had the ICD/PM placed where they had to replace it. Making a long story short. The new cardi. Removed the old one and had discovered that the lead they implanted in for in the 1st place, wasn't even connected where it should have been & were very short, wasn't long enough to reach the bottom of the heart. Where it was suppose to be in the first place. . So she had to replace the leads also. I feel much better & recovery was much faster. I know that she had to replace some leads. But the 1st implantment was only 3 months earlier. Don't know if that made a difference
I have had so much good information from this group, thought I'd try to help someone else here.
Want to thank everyone in this group again

I too have had lead extractions

by bambi - 2008-09-15 11:09:20

I had two leads extracted and replaced July 2007. I had no problems. Pacing 13 brings up a very important point! Be sure the Dr. doing the extraction has done a lot of them!
Bambi

PM & possible lead replacement

by glomagbee@linskys.com - 2008-10-05 06:10:39

Tomorrow, I am going to have my sixth PM replaced, and maybe the lead removed. My PM is on the right side. The plan is to put the new PM in on the right side with a new lead. My nquestion can the old lead removed safely, and will the time for healing take a long time.

GloriA

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