st Jude Lead problem

I have a st. Jude v-343 lead mod.1688 tv/52,7001/65,1056t/86.I went to my hart doc at stanford hos. 2weeks ago,he told me st Jude has a small problem with the leads with my ICD shorting out do to a problem with the insulation over the wire shorting out causing it to shock me in cycles over and over.So he gave me a magnet to stop the shocks till I can get help,My question is does any buddy else heard of this problem with the leads of st. Jude?????

2 Comments

Lead Problem

by kasi jo - 2012-01-17 03:01:45



Hi there Rapidrod
I also have a ST Jude PM --It has been two weeks ???
Where were you told to get help?
I would still be standing there waiting for an answer-you shouldn't have to go through the shock cycles and be stopping them with a magnet.
Have you been able to stop the shocks with the magnet
I have never heard of that for a hold up for help - I am kinda fiesty afraid he would be wearing that magnet !!
I will be watching -wishing you luck----go get 'em!!!

Kasi Jo

Riata Leads

by pacemaker writer - 2012-01-17 07:01:22

You may have the Riata lead which has recently been the subject of an advisory and recall. St. Jude has a website called RiataCommunication.com which is mostly aimed at doctors but describes the problem. If you have a problem with the lead--and as I understand it, most of these leads are fine--it can cause you to get an inappropriate shock (or several). Your doctor will probably want to check your lead frequently to make sure it's in good working order. But in the event you encounter a problem, you might wind up getting shocked several times. The purpose of the magnet is to stop the shocks until you can get help. If you are concerned about the lead, I would talk to your doctor again. It is my understanding (and I have no inside information) that most of these leads are fine ... but there have been reports of multiple shocks. Some people have opted to have these leads removed and replaced. There is going to be a meeting soon on this issue (Google "Riata Summit") by the Heart Rhythm Society in terms of how doctors should handle this unusual situation. Good luck to you. (I write about pacemakers and used to work for St. Jude.)

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.