lead extraction

Hey I am almost 22 had a pacemaker put in at 12
And now I dont need it anymore as I have grown out of my problem (vasovagol syncope episodes)
I am now left with the option to either leave it In for the rest of my life (risk of infection, and the longer its left in harder to extract) or take it out now but there are risks involved with lead extractions.
Im so scared and confused, has anyone had lead extractions that went well

2 Comments

Leads

by cheshirealice - 2014-05-23 04:05:26

Congrats on not needing it anymore! From my understanding most people will get leads taken out to be replaced if you get a PM at a younger age. Many people on this forum have had several lead removals and replacements without problems.

If I were you, I'd get it removed. It's a common procedure that EPs perform. Besides, if you ever need a pacemaker again, they will likely need to put in new leads since these will be old.

I had a pacemaker put in at 17 and it was placed in my abdomen. I just recently got it replaced but we abandoned the old leads and put new ones in the "adult" chest position. Is there anyway to do what my EP did? They took out my generator and capped the leads. There isn't any risk of infection with the generator gone an the leads aren't removed but they are taken care of.

Best of luck in your decision.
Erica

Leads

by Pacemum - 2014-05-24 04:05:50

Great that you do not need the pacemaker any more.

My daughter also had the leads to her abdominal pacemaker capped, the same as Erica, when her pacemaker was moved. I am not sure if the different risks are different when the leads are in the heart

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