Cardiac Tamponade

I almost wasn't going to post this because I didn't want to discourage anyone that might be contemplating the implantation of a device. However, If you're reading this site, you've likely been reading many sites about PM implantation, and are aware that with any medical procedure, there is always a very small chance that something may go wrong. For most, everything turns out fine. With that said, here's my experience.

I went in on September 8, to have a duel lead PM installed because of bradycardia with occasional tachycardia, and quite a few PACs with a few PVCs (which I was told were benign). After the implant procedure, I felt fine as I was coming off the sedation. Within a few minutes, I started getting a very strong pain in the heart, and was having difficulty breathing. Nurse said I could expect some pain. I told her something was obviously wrong and couldn't breathe.

Then, my blood pressure started dropping, so they pulled out the echo machine and saw there was pericardial effusion. The pressure from the blood within the pericardium was squeezing my heart and stopping it. (Cardiac Tamponade) I passed out. This was a small hospital without a large cardiac center.

The doctors were able to place a drain and stabilize me as they called for the Helicopter to airlift me to a large cardiac center in City. There, I underwent open heart surgery where they found that the atrial lead had punctured through and caused the bleed. They fixed that, replaced the large amount of blood lost, and were able to reset the leads and leave the PM implanted.

I was in Intensive care for two days, and recovery for five more days. Now, I'm healing from that, and feeling much better. It was quite a scary time. Yet, I made it through--there was one point the dr.'s weren't sure I would. The PM has been adjusted a few times now (which I can talk about in a different thread) and is working well.

So… finally getting back to normal... and still here...

6 Comments

I agree

by Grateful Heart - 2014-10-09 11:10:51


I agree with Sparrow and Patch.

When I finally found this site, I felt the members were very honest and that was very important to me. Throw in a little humor at the right times and I was charmed.

I'm sorry you went through all of that. Hope you are feeling better now.

Grateful Heart

Thank you for all your comments

by wxman - 2014-10-10 08:10:10

patch, I agree with you completely. In fact, if anybody ever asks for suggestions or advice about having a device implanted, my foremost suggestion will be to go to a full heart center, where they do open heart surgery, to have it implanted. That way, in the unlikely event something does go wrong... you're only an operating room away from having it resolved.

I will only go to the large hospital with the state-of-the-art cardiac care unit to have any work done relating to my PM in the future.

cautionary tale

by Gotrhythm - 2014-10-10 10:10:27

What I hope any newbie or person considering a PM implant would learn from your story is the importance of having a skilled surgeon in a hospital which has a dedicated cardiac unit.

I'm sorry you had such a hard time. Hope you are healing well now and ready to take on the new lease on life a PM offers.


Interesting

by REBAAMOUSH - 2014-10-10 12:10:57

I find it interesting and relaxing to read and hear all the people with PM's and how they have come along. You are all inspiring to me and hope to be on the similar track with the running, marathons, etc...

Thank you

stillwater3r

by stillwater3r - 2014-10-11 06:10:11

Hi, glad things turned out ok. I too had problems. had dizzy spells and was brought in by ambulance. My pulse was down to 6 beats a minute. The hospital had a cardiac surgeon waiting. He put in a temp PM in my groin. The next day a permanent one was put in. The surgeon had trouble placing the ventricle lead in the right place so I was back and forth between ICU and the CATH LAB 3 times before he got it right. It was a good thing they left the temp one in place until they were sure the permanent one was in right. Lesson is even the good surgeons get it wrong sometimes though not often PS. I had RBBB.

Tamponade

by Nursejane - 2014-10-20 09:10:58

Something similar happen to me but it was a month after a new pacemaker. A lead punctured my atrium and I too had to be air lifted to a larger hospital from a small ER.

Thank god for good cardiologist and surgeons. It has been 15 years . Just be sure you have a good cardiologist and ask how many pacemakers he has inserted and how many complications.

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