Fractured lead

I had icd implanted in 2003, then had a new one implanted 5 months later. My current icd implanted in 2010. In 2012 I talked to my rhythm doctor about feeling"mini shocks". He said everything was fine and it wasn't my icd. He did say, however, I had a fractured atrial lead. I had also felt like my icd was typing on its side. I was told that is impossible. Three years later I still feel like I am getting shocks. Could that be from the fractured lead? My doctor doesn't want to do anything until this battery goes. Which could be another 5 years. I don't feel confident that my icd will work if I need it.

1 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2015-12-02 01:12:28

The atrial lead is for atrial pacing, a different lead delivers shocks so they are unrelated and your icd will fire if needed.

Fractured leads can pace perfectly normally, they just take more juice to get the signal through. When I had one, they described it as running the air conditioner with the window open- the house still cools but the power bill is higher. My fractured lead is the one I'm dependent on, and it stayed that way and kept me going for more than 5 years after the problem was first noticed. If you don't pace atrial, it's likely having no effect. If you don't use it, ask them about turning it off. If it is causing the shocks, that should fix it.

It's always best to wait until the battery goes and fix everything at once if possible, minimize the number of surgeries. If your dr were at all worried you were not safe, he would be fixing it now.

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is intact and working great.