Lead extraction wires outside heart

I have a Medtronic dual chamber PM, implanted on the 30th of July. This is my 4th PM, first one was implanted in 1996 by an EP where I was awake. That's a whole different story. The last three I have had a Thorasic Surgeon do my pacemaker implants. They take me to the OR, put me under, and go to work. My pacemaker is in my abdomin, so I have an incision about 5 inches long between my breast and for the third time in this area. My pacer is placed just below my left rib cage and the two wires are implanted on the outside of the heart. Now my leads r about 15 or 16 years old, IF I were to have them extracted, is it as difficult removing them from the outside of the heart, rather than if they were in the veins? As far as I know, so far they r working fine.
Thanks!

2 Comments

Epicardial leads

by golden_snitch - 2012-08-10 03:08:17

Hi!
I don't think that would be extracted, unless there is an infection. Transvenous leads are only extracted because too many inside a vein block it. Can't happen outside of the heart. Worry about it when time comes.
Best
Inga

Leads

by Bemarie53 - 2012-08-10 12:08:53

Thanks Inga. I am glad I found this forum, it has answered a lot of questions I have had over the years. It's nice to have people u can talk to that has gone through the same as I have.
Belinda

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.