Lead dislodgement

I had a Durata crt d device implanted September 2014. While in the recovery room I asked if the pain was normal.they took expat and a lead had dislodged. I was hardly awake and my Dr said I must have moved. He went back in and hooked me back up. Moving forward to March 2015 my PA said you must be doing okay not heard from you and I was finally feeling pretty good EF up to 45-50. Very happy then she said oh you have developed atrial flutter or a-fib She said if it is Af we can do ablation but AFIB you would have to takes med. the dr scheduled me for ablation. After my ablation during recovery I again said I was having severe spasms on my left side the nurse said I was just anxious . Called my EP he said to take a Xanax. Next day went into Docs and the st Jude was there and said was anyone aware I had a lead dislodgement. Long story short the adjusted leads to lower output. I went in 3 times because of diaphramic contractions. Cancelled my trip to Hawaii, even though my Dr said I could go. Way too uncomfortable to not be close to home. He decided to schedule another crt revision. He asked me if I played with it? No. During the 7 months of good recovery my device dropped which my Other doc said happens. I was also told during this hospital visit from a nurse that sometimes when an ablation is performed leads can come loose. Okay, now the end of the story. One week after thos revision I went to the EP doc for pain in neck shoulder back with large nodules sticking out on my back (this was about 6 days post revision. He had me get X-ray and bring the disc back so he could review the next day. Got a call from office said xray was okay. Then hit a call a few days later and said to bring my boyfriend with me to my appointment. On Monday that day I received a HUGE JOLT of power in my chest called doc said to get another xray come in. He basically said he was not going to do it again, get it out, get open hear surgery or see someone else. He said durung the first procedure he thought maybe he could have been sloppy and yelled at the nurse for letting me move. I had a long run during Sept through March of this everything seemed to be fine until the ablation. He disconnected 2 Of my leads. I am small thin stature have thin skin and sorry ( large breats) and I am wondering if that and the placement right under the clavicle could be moved to under breast muscle. The first crt was sticking way and you could also see the device. Help! Any suggestions? I called the St Jude tech nd he said that sometimes just moving the patient from the operating table to a bed or gurney can moved the leads. He said it was unusual but some people have had to have 3 revisions and change locations. I am trying to be logical and find a resolution and go on with my life. Any helpful comments appreciated. Thanks!


4 Comments

Wow!

by Jackw - 2015-04-29 09:04:41

If it were me, I would find a new doc. At least get a second opinion. You are in SD area. I don't know the area but there must be some very good practices that do this all day every day. When you said the doc blamed the nurse for letting you move, I did not get a good feeling about this.

leads

by Pookie - 2015-05-04 11:05:16

So sorry to hear you are having issues with your leads and your doctors. I too would find a new doctor, if possible.

When I got my pacemaker (2004) I had my ventricle lead drop 3 times - I was in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit the entire time....I was NOT moving. In my case it just so happened to be the type of "end" that is at the end of the lead that attaches to the heart - there are 2 types: one that is like a fish hook and the other is like a screw. I can't even remember what one I had (that kept falling) but I do know at that point I fired the 1st doctor who did initial implant and since then I've been fine...no more dropping leads.

....Doctors will never admit it was their fault...!!!!!

Don't give up hope and keep pushing until you get your answers.

Take care,
Pookie

Pocket revision and new ventricle lead

by Leadme - 2015-06-20 12:06:15

Thank you for your responses. Greatly appreciated. Got a new EP doc. He did a pocket revision as my device wAs put in originally sideways near my armpit. It is now moved closer to the middle and straight up. Io have a new rv lead. Whichever is the defibrillator lead was replaced. The surgery went well. This time this EP did not use a general but rather conscious sedation. Not as painful as far as my shoulder and back pain this time. After about 5 hours I started getting a tremendous amount of pvc's, gave me magnesium. Have had 2 follow ups with 70,000 pvc's I was having 12,000 before my initial cry device 9 months ago , they took me off metaprolol and put me on stool for arrythmias pvc's 3 days out still having issues. Go back in 4 days. I think the procedure stirred up ventricles and they are making tons of them. Any recommendations. Very incomfortable. In last 9 months 4 cry device procedures and an atril ablation. I am exhausted.

Posted wrong location, sorry

by Leadme - 2015-06-20 12:06:21

Should be under lead dislodgement ventricle 3 times new EP Dr.

You know you're wired when...

Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

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