Which surgery should I have

Hello ,
I just went to the doctor last friday and I was told I am going to have to have surgery within the next 2 months (this is somthing I was expecting). The surgery is for a pacemaker replacment the problem is my output on my leads is super high which is why the battery ran down so fas (I've only had it 3 years). I have a choice: I can either just get the battery replaced and deal with haveing that surgery every 2-3 years or I can elect to have a open chest/heart proceedure where they MAY be able to find a better place on the heart to attach the leads (theres a lot of scar tissue) - the hopeful result of that surgery is that I wouldtn have to have another surgery for 5-7 years. the second option is a biger surgery but a potential better outcome while the first option is a smaller surgery but would have to have surgery more often which is bad for the body/ annoying. has any one else gone through somthing like this? and how did you go about making that choice? I would love to know anyone and everyone opinons as I am scared and dont know what to do.

6 Comments

your choice

by Tracey_E - 2016-04-23 03:04:19

My situation wasn't so complicated, but I had a bad lead that worked but shortened the battery life. I chose to keep it through one battery change. The lead got worse after that and the next one only lasted two years, so that time I chose to have the lead replaced. I was ok with it when they said 4-5 years but when it was barely two years and the next one would be less than that, I didn't think it made sense to keep the bad lead.

Sounds like they're talking about epicardial leads? That's not through the vein, but I don't think it's open heart either. I believe they go between the ribs.

Missing something here

by Good Dog - 2016-04-23 11:04:58

I think that you are missing something in your description of and why you have options. In your situation when a lead is going bad and needs to be replaced there are generally no options. They just insert a new lead and cap the old one (left in-place) when they change the generator (battery). That is pretty much it. If you already have an extra lead they may opt to remove (extract) the bad lead and insert a new one. In either case, the surgery is not that big of a deal.
Perhaps you didn't tell us everything?

David

Good luck!

by Naomi - 2016-04-26 01:04:33

I feel for you and what you are going through. It must be hard to deal with. I understand about needing support! I bet you want to scream, holler, and pitch a fit for what's happening in your body! I don't know what I would do in your shoes! Do you have a loved one to hold your hand through this? It sounds like you are trying to weigh all the pros and cons, I believe I'd go with the option that would prevent or help elevate more surgeries.
Good luck and God Bless!

Not appreciated

by holtd3 - 2016-04-26 12:04:21

David, Actually with all do respect it is a big deal. My heart has so much scar tissue on it they cant just cap it and put in another because the problem is they don't know where to put it. Not only that but I happened to have this surgery 3 years ago and it was 100 percent not fun. staying in the hospital for 2 weeks and recovering for two months only to end up back in the emergency room when I had another complication. I understand that this isn't a heart transplant or brain surgery but I don't actually appreciate the ïsnt a big deal"part because as a 24 year old or any age I shouldn't have to go through this. I understand that I have to so when I post a topic for support I was really seeking for support not the isn't a big deal speech.

- Im still scared and I know I have every right to be

P.s I would argue that any surgery is some kind of "deal"

Brands

by Skippy123 - 2016-04-27 01:04:01

Have you looked into changing manufacturers. 3 years is waaaaay to short. Mine was pacing me literally 24/7 for 2 months, which i know isnt a very long time but the battery is still at 99%

Bad Leads and Bi-ventricular pacemakers?

by KoTzev18 - 2016-05-08 03:05:05

Does anyone have experience with too-high voltage from a poor performing lead (perhaps because of scar tissue) that needs to be replaced after five years (now working at 5 volts). The battery is running out and needs to be replaced very soon. This is a Bi-ventricular St JUde Med pacemaker doing CRT. Replacing this third lead is not so simple and is risky.

Thanks for any responses.

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