icd extraction

hi - I am new to this site and am hoping to find some answers. I am from India. My father had an icd implanted in October 2013. It got infected in Feb 2014 and needs to be extracted along with the leads. The laser technique for extraction is not available in India. Has anyone had to have a lead extraction after 5 months and how difficult is it going to be without laser? We are worried sick and are looking for some help.

wishing everyone here good health,

thanks,
asmita

16 Comments

Lead removal

by golden_snitch - 2014-03-02 09:03:50

Hi Asmita,

after just five months it should be possible to remove the lead without needing a laser. Within those five months, not a lot of scar tissue will have built around the tip of the lead. I once had a nearly three years old lead removed, and that worked without a laser, too. The laser is usually used when they try to remove leads that have been in for several years.

Best wishes

Inga

thanks

by asmita - 2014-03-02 09:03:57

thank you so much Inga and Don. The article was very informative. this community is awesome!
asmita

Article

by golden_snitch - 2014-03-02 10:03:06

There's an interesting article about lead extraction written for patients at:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/11/e378.full

Inga

thanks

by asmita - 2014-03-02 10:03:21

hi Inga - thank you so much for your response. This makes me feel a lot better.
also, is the extraction surgery more painful than the implantation ?

thanks again!
asmita

Pain

by golden_snitch - 2014-03-02 10:03:29

Hi again,

I wasn't awake for my lead extraction - had asked my doctor for a sedation since they were removing a lead, placing a new lead and putting the pacemaker under the muscle -, but it should not be painful. I were your father, I'd tell the doctor before the procedure that the first implant was painful, and ask about possibilities to make him more comfortable during the upcoming surgery. I'm sure the doctor will at least be able to administer some stronger painkillers.

Inga

Try Tattoo Man

by donr - 2014-03-02 11:03:39

He recently had a lead extraction & I'm sure he would give you some advice based on his experience.

I'll send him a note asking him to find your post.

Donr

Hi Asmita.........

by Tattoo Man - 2014-03-03 02:03:41


...........................as our good friend Don has pointed out I did indeed have a complete removal of PM and leads in Jan 2013 with a new PM +leads fixed into my RH shoulder.

As saw it, Removal and Replacement in one operation was not something that I wanted to be conscious to experience. My (very experienced ) surgeon was happy to give me a general anaesthetic.

The procedure was a complete success..to the extent that this weekend I participated in a 10 kilometre running race..entirely on sand !!

My extraction was straightforward and did not require laser proceedures....the first PM had been in for a couple of years.

Best of wishes to your Father...I too had an infection that made the removal essential. While it was a little stressful for those around, I had confidence with my surgeon...try asking him / her on the extent of his / hers experience with extractions...you might be able to research the history.

Keep us all here at PM Club up to date with your news.

Tattoo Man UK

Hi Tattoo Man

by asmita - 2014-03-03 11:03:03

Firstly, thank you very much for responding - I really appreciate it.

We are hoping that the extraction will not be complicated. It is a trifle difficult to find someone with extensive experience in icd/crtd implantation and extractions in India since the device itself is extremely expensive and there is no real insurance or state coverage system here - thus restricting the number of people who can afford it. The doctor performing the procedure is the most experienced in my state.

My father had infection and skin erosion and the icd is visible from outside - we are also wondering what steps we can take to avoid infection/erosion after reimplantation - this time round a CRTD instead of an ICD.

His extraction is scheduled for tomorrow (wednesday) evening India time. I will definitely keep everyone here updated. Hoping for the best.

Thanks again,
Asmita

Update

by asmita - 2014-03-05 11:03:20

Hi - my father's extraction was succesful - they were able to remove both leads - took about 2 hours.

Now, onto the next step - implantation of CRTD in a couple of weeks.

Thank you so much Casper for keeping my father in your thoughts!

Thanks again for giving me insight - Inga,Donr and Tattoo Man

Wishing everyone good health,

Asmita

Sending my best wishes

by Casper - 2014-03-05 12:03:49

Hi Asmita,

Hoping your father has a very successful procedure.

You sound like a very nice daughter.

Casper

Another Best Wishes...

by donr - 2014-03-06 07:03:22

...for your father.

Must have had a great surgeon. A lead extraction in 2 hrs is pretty good time.

Now comes the part that calls for patience - killing the infection w/ antibiotics.

Glad it all worked out well

Donr

Thanks for the update

by Casper - 2014-03-06 12:03:32

Hi Asmita,

Great news for you and your dad.

Will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Casper

Hi Asmita..............

by Tattoo Man - 2014-03-10 06:03:13


..............so glad that it went well.

Tell your Father that we all wish him the very best

Tattoo Man

Thank you SO much for getting back to us.

Donr

by asmita - 2014-03-10 06:03:23

yes he is in oral antibiotics now - implantation in 3 weeks time - the surgeon said that he might try the left side again if it heals well.

thanks,
asmita

Hi Tattoo Man

by asmita - 2014-03-11 01:03:52

My father is not computer or internet savvy and is extremely excited and happy when I read out all the pm club messages to him - it is a little overwhelming for him to know that so many people from around the world are wishing him well :-)

Tattoo Man - you said that you had infection also - was just curious - do you know the reason why you had infection and also did they do anything differently the next time around to avoid infection?

Thanks again,

Asmita

Hi Asmita...................

by Tattoo Man - 2014-03-14 06:03:42


.....................please tell your Father that he is more than welcome. PM Club is a unique group of people...perhaps, if there is a PM Heaven, we will all meet up....now that would be fun !

I have no idea where my infection came from...it was only found when I had an Op for a PM relocation. The only difference when I had my replacement Box in my right shoulder is that they sutured it in so it doesn't bounce about when I go out running....just possibly this was the cause of the infection in the first place...who knows ?

Best wishes from a Spring-like UK

Tattoo Man

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