shotgun use

I am having a ICD installed week after next. It will be implanted on my left side, or I should say that is the side they want to implant it on. I am a sporting clays shooter and just recently found out (by accident) that I will no longer be able to shoot because I shoot left handed and the dr says it will or could damage the device and/or leads. This is my main activity, take that away from me and life will not be good!!! I was told by my dr that the device could be implanted on my right side but it would not be as effective as on the left side.

Has anyone faced this issue? HELP.

3 Comments

I don't really think....

by donr - 2015-04-18 04:04:45

.....that the ICD cares which side it is placed on. I don't think that the heart cares a whit , either.

As far as the heart is concerned, the leads come in through the same vein at the top of the right Atrium regardless of the side the ICD is placed on, All the sensing, pacing & Defib shocks are delivered through the leads which are implanted in the same location INSIDE the heart, regardless of where the ICD is placed.

I looked on the Web & found NO reference that preferred one side over the other.

For you as a clay shooter - IOF you want to continue using that 12 Guage cannon you carry, be sure to have the ICD implanted on the RIGHT side.

I have to disagree w/Tracey about sub-pec placement on the left. That will help you but little,
considering the number of shells you put through the chamber in a normal afternoon. You, as a frequent firer don't think any thing about the recoil force - but I assure you that it is there & you don't want your device subjected to that if you can avoid it.

Now - for the negative possibility: your cardio may be concerned about the situation where you need the paddles applied in the ER or in a meat wagon w/ a couple EMT's. The rules of engagement for applying the paddles is one goes at the apex of the heart - that's the pointy end that is somewhere near the bottom of the ribcage on the left side. The other goes on a line that runs from the first paddle, along the axis of the heart (so the jolt travels from the bottom of the heart to the top), and just across the sternum. If your ICD is on the right side, that puts the second paddle pretty darned close to it. You can look this up on the web to confirm it.

DO NOT mention this to your cardio when you discuss this. If he doesn't think of it as a reason all by himself, he's just blowing smoke. You will NOT be the only host to an ICD who has it on the right side.

May you never need that 25th shell in the box!

For Sparrow: As a purist, you shoot a gun, you fire a rifle. What's the difference? A gun has a smooth bore; a rifle has lands & grooves down the length of the barrel that spin the bullet.

Donr


placement

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-18 09:04:48

Definitely talk to your surgeon again! Possibly get a second opinion if this dr is flatout saying you can't shoot. I have no idea if an icd is less effective on the right side, pm's work the same on either side but it's a little harder to run the wires from the right. Another option is subpectoral on the left side. They should be able to place it low and deep enough that you can still shoot. Good luck!

Think about this...

by tandpman - 2015-04-24 02:04:23

My Dad's second PM was on his 'shooting shoulder', but he learned to shoot from the hip. Bagged a turkey on his first hunt after. Went on the next quail season to bag out limit in just two days. Pretty good for 'shootin' from the hip'! Food for thought, anyway...

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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