Lead replacement

leads

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-02 10:03:33

It depends if there is room for another lead or if they have to extract and start over. When one of my leads went bad, we did a venogram (iv with dye in cath lab) to verify how much room was left. There as enough for another lead so I chose to add the new one, cap off the bad one and leave it alone. Recovery was similar to first placement as far as restrictions go, similar to generator changes as far as how I felt after.

If they can't fit another wire, or if they decide to extract and start fresh regardless, that's a whole 'nother surgery. Not having had it, I can't say how recovery from experience is but I don't think it's much longer. We have a lot of members who have been through it, if you do a search there should be lots of discussions. The important thing is getting someone very specialized to do it. If they don't do more than 100 extractions per year, ask to be referred to someone who does.

removal

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-03 01:03:48

That's what I chose to do also. Extraction gets better all the time. The laser sheaths they use get better, there are more and more experienced surgeons doing it. I know some day I'll need it, but I'm hoping to put it off as long as possible. Let them keep perfecting it!

Lead replacement

by Sharon321 - 2016-03-03 10:03:39

My consultant is going to cap the old lead and leave it there. He said it would be tricky to remove it because of scar tissue

Lead Fractured

by dot - 2016-05-04 01:05:07

Today, I was told I have 2 fractured leads. I had my ICD implant in 2009 and just had the generator replaced in Nov 2015.
I had Rotator Cuff surgery about a month ago on my left shoulder, the same side as my ICD implant. My cardiologist suspects that's how the leads got broken - during that procedure. I see the Cardiac Electrophysiologist in a week.to see how to fix this. I was told this is a big problem to handle and that there are high risks involved.
How serious are broken leads? I wasn't aware that this could even happen!! I'm so upset/scared/worried!!!

Lead Rep;lacement

by verne8 - 2016-07-02 14:33:56

Well, I just had more fun than any one person should have!  I received my initial pacer 3 years ago. Within a week it was showing signs of a problem. The "juice" had to be cranked way up for it to capture. They felt that in time it would calm down. NOPE.

So, after only 3 years it was time for a generator replacement. I'll make a very long story as short as possible. With just some Versed on board they opened me up in the cath lab and from there we realized that the one lead was most of the way out and cracked. They considered capping but rejected that. I should mention the interesting part---Within months after receiving my initial pacer I became 100% pacer dependent. SO---when they realized we are in for a long day in the cath lab---with NO anesthesia because the risk of moving me was too great for infection---they were prepping to do whatever they do to keep a person who is 100% dependent alive while they work. They disconnected the old and, what do you know---immediately my heart started beating on its own and did so without problem for 3 hrs!  No one in the roon had an explanation. As a devout follower of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I did but...I digress.

I'm sure there are words for the pain of those three hours---and by the way, I had one of the most acclaimed doctors in this procedure in our region doing the procedure---but I really don't have those words. They did their best to keep me "tolerable" with Fentanyl but, suffice to say, it was a  VERY LONG 3 hours.

That was two days ago. Yesterday, before discharge, they came in with their magic machine to interagate my pacer and now my pacer was working as it should and my ventricles were working all on their own. YAY!  May it continue. Yep. I am sore, but that is really a minor issue.

My biggest problem I struggle with is severe panic disorder so this will be a LONG 4-6 weeks for me. (Yes, I am well aware that complications can show up years down the road but I really can't go there.)

My point to this comment is---if I made it through that, I have confidence that most people will be fine. The procedure has between a 95.7&-99.5% success rate. Best of luck to you!

leads

by Sharon321 - 2016-07-07 08:09:55

Did you feel any different knowing you had a problem I mean like arrithymias or missed beats or palpatations ?