4th pacemaker about to be implanted

Hi,

I am 77 years old and had my first pacemaker implanted in 2000.  I am on my third pacemaker, which is a Biventricular Pacemaker. I have had this pacemaker for three years but it will be replaced in the next month because I have a bad lead which has drained the battery.

My electrophysologist is vague about what will actually be done, maybe a new lead can be fished thru the vein where the current three leads are now, but this may not be possible, maybe a new vein will have to be used for the new lead, maybe the pacemaker will be relocated to the right side of my chest.

Has anyone gone thru a similar situation???


Thanks

Dave

4 Comments

Hi Dave,

by donb - 2011-11-22 08:11:51

Had my 1st PM in 1992 at age 60. I'm on my 4th PM now at age 79. As I had my 3rd PM removed because of erosion and also 1 lead was bad. My site wasn't in the best of condition so my 4th PM was placed on my right side along with another pair of leads.

As my left site had replacements each PM was put in a little lower which was not as comfortable. Now with a fresh start on my right side, new leads and the PM tucked up just under my collar bone is very comfortable. AS I'm right handed I've found my implant so much easier to deal with, no seat belt issue while driving and I can do most any kind of work without having some object actually putting pressure against my PM. The Biggie!! Holding small balky Grandkids on my lap, if you're right handed with the PM on the left, that's where the head goes, right on top oof the PM, ouch!!. Also anytime picking up any bulky heavy object with your right hand doing the major support, automatically the object will tend to go to your left chest. Think about it!!! This has been my experience as I just discussed this with my Cardiologist just last week. All I got from him was the eye-roll. I haven't seen anyone posting on this issue but working on any piece of equipment I am most happy with my right chest implant.
No, I don't use my 12 gauge shotgun anymore so I don't have the impact problem. Good Luck!! donb

Eye roll

by ElectricFrank - 2011-11-23 12:11:03

Your doc too? The other one I get is a smirk.

frank

Lead replacement

by Lottie - 2011-11-26 12:11:24

I had a ventricular lead replaced (twice) last Christmas and they used a different vein to the original lead. Or at least that's what I was told was their intention. Whether or not the surgeons actually do as they originally plan is always questionable!

Too right Don, children have an uncanny knack of knowing exactly where to plonk their incredibly hard and heavy heads.. The little buggers..!

I always thought it hilarious how often I was instructed not to fire a shotgun... Because I certainly look like the type to own one........?

For those of us living in the land down under, the right sided PM does prove troublesome when driving.. Maybe I ought to relocate.


Lead replacement

by Keryn - 2011-11-30 07:11:50

Hi
I have had my pacemaker since 1997, inserted age 18. I had surgery for lead fracture in 2000. Anticipated removing fractured lead and threading new lead. During surgery this wasn't an option as existing leads where stuck by scar tissue. They then relocated pacemaker to right side and threaded two new leads, now equaling four. In 2003 I became unwell again and after being rushed to hospital in July they discovered that more scar tissue had formed around leads and caused SVC obstruction. I had been quite unwell, turning blue in face when leaning forward and lying prone/supine and eventually caused extreme upper body and face oedma. After trying angioplasty and stents to open vein unsuccessfully I had to have open heart surgery to do an SVC repair, essentially like a bypass but they used a synthetic patch to reconstruct vein and implant new pacemaker and epicardial leads. I am very aware of pacing now with these. I have been quite unwell again in last 18mnths and they have discovered I have again fractured part of one of my bipolar leads. They have reprogrammed it to Unipolar. I am due to have battery replacement Dec 22, my fourth pacemaker surgery in 14 years. Lead replacement if necessary will require open up of chest again which they are keen to avoid. My cardiologist tells me I am extremely unlucky and hasn't known any of his patients to fracture two leads and only one other patient since me to have SVC obstruction. I have joined this site to see if that is actually the case.

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