Help with information

Is there any pacemaker company that makes a through the skin rechargeable pacemaker? I'd sure be interested in learning about it. I know they wouldn't be suitable for every application. In my case, I have a demand pacer,and it would save a lot of money and surgery to be able to recharge it.
If anyone has any information please let me know.
Thanks
Don

3 Comments

not yet

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-09 06:11:58

There is a company developing one that recharges from our movement sort of like a self-winding watch, but it's in the early development stages.

Replacements are super easy, nothing to it.

extraction

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-10 08:11:02

If you do a search for "extraction" you will find quite a few discussions and all sorts of information. Lead removal has come a long way in the last few years. The equipment they use is much improved and the number of experienced surgeons has risen. They use a laser sheath to separate the lead from the scar tissue. It's a specialized surgery, you don't want just anyone doing it. Find a surgeon who does at least 100 per year if you can.

So, do you have 2 or 4 leads now? And are both bad or just one? If you have 2 and only 1 is bad, they may be able to add a new one on top without extracting. I did that with my last replacement. My ventricular lead was impeded but the atrial was fine. We did a venogram (iv with dye in the cath lab) to see if I had enough space to add another. There was room, so I chose to not extract. They added the new one on top of what's already there and capped off the bad one.

Information

by chief1081 - 2013-11-10 12:11:47

My pacer is due to be replaced soon,I'm on my second device but I have the same leads I got in 2001. I was told they had a hard time placing the leads in a spot that would work. I'm wondering how much trouble they will have getting the old leads out without doing damage to the heart,the leads have to be pretty grown in by now.

Upon implanting the first device in 01 they had to shut it off because the leads were to short.After placing longer leads,I had no trouble till now,the leads are showing signs of break down.The whole thing bothers me a bit.Anyone ever had anything like this happen?
Thanks
Don

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!