Pacemaker

I had a pacemaker implanted 9/26. The atrial lead pulled out overnight in the hospital. The doctor explained it was a complicated surgery due to the vein the receives the leads is 5 inches below my collar bone. They redid the next day, placing the pacemaker in a silk bag and suturing it to the wall of my chest. 2 1/2 weeks later the atrial lead again dislodged causing diaphram pacing. They have turned off the atrial lead and set the ventricle lead to no less than 60 bps. I am now faced with having a revision to the lead with no guarantee that the lead will not dislodge again. They have assured me that there is nothing I am doing that is causing this. I am having trouble finding a surgeon that has seen an anatomical complication such as mine. Any suggestions? My only other resort is to have open heart surgury.

2 Comments

I completely agree

by Good Dog - 2016-11-05 09:33:50

There was a discussion here not long ago about having a surgeon vs. an EP performing the implant. This is exactly the reason an EP should be utilized. I obviously don't know in your case what kind of doctor did the implant, but I agree that he should have gotten it right in two tries!

You really do need to take charge and find a good EP here. He may decide to remove everything and start over. I don't know, but this just seems to be such an unusual occurance. The benefit of using an electrophysiologist is that this is something they specialize in.  It is all that they do. If by chance your doc is/was an EP, then you should find a new one.

I am sure you will be fine, but you should not have had to go through all of this.

I wish you the very best!

David

Agree III

by Gotrhythm - 2016-11-05 18:15:02

Two tries is enough. I suggest going to a universtity affliated hospital. There's obviously something going on that makes getting it right hard.

At a university hospital, they see rare, unusual conditions and so are much more likely to have the specialized skill and knowledge your case needs. 

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