Lead replacement

Last wednesday 6/5 at 4:15 am I was awakened by my defibrillator at first I thought maybe I just hit it in my sleep but then I thought maybe it just went off but I felt fine then bang the second jolt kicked me and I knew then what it was then another jolt and except for the jolts which kicked like a mule I still felt fine and I was hoping it wouldn't fire again. Called 911 and when they answered they asked what my pulse was I checked and it was 69 and I told them I felt fine. I rode into the hospital was there by 5:00 am and was examined by a cardiologist then I was checked out by the St. Jude rep he said he needed to consult with my cardiologist and at 7:00 they came back and said I had a lead that was getting a reading that wasn't there because my heart did not go into a bad rhythm so at that point they turned the defibrillator off.
After 3 days of tests they told me I was going home with a defibrillator vest until they could schedule me for a lead replacement in the OR with a cardiac surgeon there just in case of complications.
My question is how many of you have had this happen and have had to have leads replaced after only 3 years.

2 Comments

Lead replacemnt

by RP - 2013-06-08 01:06:01

Hi,
I had a lead malfunction 5 years after my pacer was inserted. I don't have a defibrillator. When my lead malfunctioned, they only added a new lead, they didn't take out the old lead due to risk involved, it doesn't bother me or anything. I would definitely do more research as to why the lead isn't working correctly and check recent recalls.
Best of luck!

leads

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-08 09:06:15

The average life of a lead is 15 years. Sometimes they last double that, sometimes only a fraction that long. I would question if the lead is defective, look it up and see if it's on any of the recall lists. You should be able to find the model on your id card. But more often than not, it's just bad luck.

Are they removing the old lead or adding a new lead to what is there? If they are removing, ask more questions. This is a specialized surgery and you want it done by someone who ideally does 100+ procedures a year. Your leads aren't that old so it shouldn't be complicated, but it's good to go into it informed and with the best possible surgeon, who may or may not be your usual ep.

It is standard to have a cardiac surgeon on standby when they do a removal in case of complications, that doesn't mean they expect complications. Of all the people here who have had extractions, I can only think of one who had serious complications and needed the cardiac surgeon, and that was several years ago. The sheaths that they use have come a long way and the number of experienced drs has increased so the surgery is not as risky as it used to be.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

Think positive and go out and take on the world.