Lead Revision

Hey guys, just wondering if anybody has had to have a lead revision before, and what recovery is like. I have micro fractures in the lead to my atrium, and ventricle, so the doc said she will try to fix them, but if she can't, I may need new leads. I'm kind of scared for surgery again, I don't want them to have to unscrew my old leads as I've heard its kind of dangerous in young people because the scar tissue heals well. I'm only 25. Anyways, thanks for taking a read, and I appreciate any replies!

9 Comments

Revision

by Grateful Heart - 2014-02-12 07:02:22

Did they tell you they were going to remove the lead?

They usually cap off the bad lead and replace it with a new one right along side the old lead if there is room in the vein to fit it. I've had a lead revision.

Speak to your Doctor to ease your mind and find out what his approach will be.

Recovery is similar to original placement of leads. No raising your arm above your shoulder or lifting heavy weights/ packages, etc. for a few weeks but is much easier than the original implant when they have to make a pocket.

Good luck,

Grateful Heart

lead revision

by manaman - 2014-02-12 08:02:13

Just had a broken ventrical lead (20 years old )
replaced in December. They just capped the old lead off and put a new one in the same vein I was on light lifting (no more than 5 pounds) and no arm raising for six weeks.
I actually had the PM replaced at the same time and never took anything for pain during the entire process. I think it was easier than the first implant (had 3 total)
Good luck,
Cecil (mannaman)

lead revision

by bmccasland - 2014-02-12 09:02:30

I had a lead revision 6 days ago. I was only 1 month into my original PM implantation and had the upper lead become dislodged. I was discouraged because I had to start over with the restrictions. I hope all goes well with you. It seems like the recover is the same as the initial. I found out I had the dislodged lead during my interrogation of the PM.

depends

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-12 09:02:59

How long have you had it? If less than a year, they can usually move it or remove and start fresh. Restriction time is same as the first surgery but recovery is easier. If longer than that, it's a specialized procedure to remove the old lead. Or, as Cecil and I had, they can cap off the old one, leave it alone, and put a new one in.

If you end up having the leads removed, it's a specialized procedure but not dangerous. The laser sheaths they use get better every year, more and more surgeons are proficient at it, so the odds of complications have gone down steadily in recent years. I would ask specifically if this is what they are doing. You dont want just anyone doing this, you want someone very experienced, ideally who does at least 100 a year. Let someone who hasn't done many practice on someone else, go for experience.

Thanks guys

by IronMike - 2014-02-12 10:02:01

My doctor said she can't see any fractures through x-ray. She's gonna open the pocket, and inspect the wires, and hopefully its an easy repair close to the generator. If not, then the options are to remove the old wires and insert new ones. She did mention using the laser if need be. She's been practicing since 1984 and specializes in electrophysiology and defib implantations. For the most part I'm at ease, but there's those times that I just can't stop worrying, I'm sure once the sedative hits though I'll be on cloud 9 hah. I've had this pacemaker/leads for about 2 1/2 years. Thanks again for your comments and stories guys. May the Lord be with you all.
-Mike

I can relate to all

by RD1angel - 2014-02-16 04:02:25

I have had lead recalls, leads literally break in two, and the one that was the hardest to identify was when the wire had a hairline crack vertically. The capturing couldn't go through when I turned to the left! Any how, now, with 4 leads in one vein, and one of the lead requiring a threshold of 3.2, verses your normal < 1.2 threshold is operating at the 3.2 level, this last battery was put in in 2010? ( 10th battery since '79) . Thus, leaving me with to many abandoned leads in the vein.

I will be heading to Miami University next week to discuss what the plan is, as the leads were put in in 1979, there is way to much scare tissue, plus those older leads "screwed in" and they have migrated in the heart muscle to far. If so, then it is open heart ! I'll sign back in to let you all now how the procedure goes.

Kelly

Surgery was a success!!!

by IronMike - 2014-02-23 03:02:13


Hey guys! Just got home from an overnight stay, glad to be done! They left the original generator in (st jude accent). I'm 25 years old. My doc opened me up and discovered what they had thought, fractures in both leads under the collarbone. They were un-repairable so they took them out. Luckily I've only had them for 2.5 years, so they were able to come out without laser assistance. Felt weird as hell though guys, pretty uncomfortable when they were tugging, but a huge relief when they came out. It's almost like you can feel tugging in your heart, and from the scar tissue that has formed around the wires a little bit. Like I said though, it didnt necessarily hurt, just uncomfortable for a few seconds while they pulled em out. They were able to give me some shorter/thinner wires as well. Overall the surgery couldn't have gone any better and I'm extremely thankful for that. Now, if only I could run this week ;) Anyways, just wanted to share the success story! Have a great day guys.

Lead revision

by Morrow - 2018-08-08 21:44:29

I had my pacemaker put in two weeks ago. The ventricular lead is not positioned right so I am having having a lead revision next week. The doc said I could leave it but it would drain the battery faster plus now it is easy to complete the procedure. I feel great so l am frustrated that I have to start all over with restrictions.

Lead Revision

by tonicarr - 2023-10-06 20:33:44

I am beside myself. Learned today I need a lead revision. I guess my lead has moved. The Dr. is doing it tomorrow morning. My concern is if they don't change the lead what is going to keep it from happening again? I am so frustrated because I am just getting my life back after receiving the pacemaker less than 3 months ago and to have to go through all the retrictions again is daunting. I am in my late 60's and pretty active. But now feel like I will never be back to where I was before the pacemaker. I have heart block and two leads. 

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