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ICD with three leads
Hi there. Haven't posted in a long time. I am scheduled for a new ICD in March. They are going to leave the Fiidelis lead which is still working fine in place; then run a new lead beside the one in the atrium. Not going to extract it, have been told this is risky. My third lead will be on the other side of the heart so it will beat together. I have had shortness of breathe since Oct. and the ankles were swollen while on vacation at Christmas. I am a little scared this time for surgery, but am ready to feel better. Have been told with the three lead, I will. Has anyone ever had their leads extracted and did they run into trouble. I would not survive open heart surgery, is the reason that they will leave the lead in place. Thanks. Judy
6 Comments
Lead
by StevieReno - 2013-02-16 05:02:19
Haven't had a lead replaced.... But good luck and keep us posted .
New lead
by Jax - 2013-02-16 10:02:12
I have not had a new lead, however there are members who have and as I remember there is a new procedure that is less risk. You can search for new lead at the search bar at the top of the home page.
I wish you well.
Lead extraction
by donr - 2013-02-16 11:02:18
Judi: Unless you have a special case, lead extraction does NOT involve open heart surgery. All done through the same hole in the vein that the lead goes through in upper chest.
To tell you that lead extraction is NOT risky, would be lying. It DOES involve some risk - greater than for an implant. You need a very well qualified extraction surgeon to do the job & risk drops to about 1% or less. That means (in the US) that he/she doers about 100 extractions per year. Yes, they need to have a standby thoracic/vascular surgeon just in case something goes wrong & they have to open the chest to fix it. There are at least THREE who have had extractions in the last yr. TattooMan is the latest & his was an overnight job & he was back on the streets endangering the lives of all who dared cross his path, laughing & pointing at his scar.
The procedure involves running a cylindrical laser cutting head down the existing, embedded lead - sort of like a high tech miniature Roto Rooter (...that's the name - & away go troubles, down the drain).
I see that you live in Terre Haut. Not a large city, so I doubt if there is an extraction specialist there - probably closest is in Indianapolis. Also, considering your cardiac history, I can see why you are concerned. It is, unfortunately, easy to overplay the risk involved in 2013. Nowhere near as great as even ten yrs ago, pre laser roto-rooter.
Good luck in your quest to feel better.
Don
ICD
by Grateful Heart - 2013-02-17 12:02:05
It is common practice to leave the lead in place. Like Don said, it is not open heart surgery but lead extractions can be risky. You would only want that done by a very experienced EP who does a great amount of extractions per year anyway.
As you mentioned, they can run a lead alongside one that is already in place. Usually, the veins have enough room for more than one and often several over time if necessay.
You will probably feel so much better, I know I did.
Take care,
Grateful Heart
Lead
by ldsim - 2013-02-18 05:02:52
Hi Judy, I had a new ICD and lead put in in Nov 2011. My Dr. left the old one in and just put a new one next to it. I would have been much more extensive to take it out. I do have the 3 leads and I am feeling great. I do all kinds of exercise and have not had a problem. Hope this helps. Lisa
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ICD
by dad4dds - 2013-02-16 03:02:37
Sorry I have not had a lead removed. But I did have a new ICD placed in December. I had the same simptoms as you. Shortness of breath and swelling. They both got alot better. No more trouble breathing. Lost ten plus pounds in fluid.
Good Luck