Left lead programming issue

Received my Medtronic bi- ventricular PM / Defibrillator on 12-16-15. Went back for programming check 2 weeks ago and 1 week ago as I was feeling "thumps" about 90% of the time in chest wall in left side. Medtronic rep explained that the tip of my left lead was not in a good spot and that each of my 3 leads can be programmed in 4 different places. He also told me that my left lead is in a vein near my diaphragm running above it. He attempted to reprogram the left lead in all 16 of the possible configurations - didn't work - still thumping me. It's not painful, more annoying than anything and sometimes I can lean to the right or lay on my right side & it stops. The 2 leads on the right are causing no sensations at all - as it should be. I have an appt with the surgeon this week to discuss options. Medtronic rep said he could turn it off if I didn't want to deal with it. Seems to me it defeats the whole purpose of the device if I let them turn the left lead off? If the surgeon says he can reposition the lead, how does that work? Is it a smaller incision? Recovery going so well, hoping this is a minor setback...

3 Comments

left lead programming issue

by Mona - 2016-01-04 05:01:39

I have a similar problem with one of my leads. I have a Boston Scientific CRT-D device which was put in on 18 Feb 15. I kept getting thumps when I tried to sleep on my left side. Also get some in certain sitting positions after eating. The tech adjusted one of my leads a couple of weeks ago and it seems to have helped. Only problem I am now getting some pvc's or skipped beats. It is an annoying, but fortunatelly not painful, problem.

Mona

Lead

by Cabg Patch - 2016-01-04 09:01:19

repositioning the lead is called a lead revision, and you are absolutely right, turning off the left lead defeats the purpose of a bi-ventricular device (CRT).

For those who don't know, a bi-vent device paces both the right and left ventricles to synchronize them and improve the ejection fraction.

Since your procedure was so recent, it'll be pretty easy for them to reposition the lead. They will unfortunately cut the original incision open to do so. If the lead is still down in the area of the ventricle they'll just adjust the existing one. If it has moved too far, they'll replace the lead.

I just had mine done on the 17th and hasn't helped so good luck to you. These new leads don't impress me. In theory they sound like a great idea, but I'm finding in practice not so much.

Thanks!

by JudyRocks - 2016-01-05 01:01:53

Thanks for the input. Just about what I expected to hear - unfortunately. This site is so helpful and I learn something every time I log on.

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