New PM and 3rd lead

Hello all, just got my PM replaced and a third lead put in on the 22nd of Dec. The new lead moved/dislodged and was making my left side of my stomach bounce. I was still in recovery and the Medtronic Tech turned it off and said it would have to be redone. I was set with my previous settings. I'm feeling good but concerned about a 3rd lead and how it's going to be fixed. My EP is so busy he can't see me until a month from my procedure and I was instructed by his staff to remove my dressing next week. It's a waterproof dressing. I'll cross that bridge next week. Any advice or experience with a failed 3rd lead?

4 Comments

3rd Lead

by Grateful Heart - 2016-12-28 20:12:06

Which lead is dislodged?   For me it was my Right Ventricle lead which also is the defibrillator lead and it was pacing my diaphragm.  It's harmless but was very uncomfortable.  If it is uncomfortable for you, ask them to lower the voltage to ease the discomfort. 

There is a couple of options.  If it's the new lead they can remove the lead and start over and cap the lead and then add a new one along side it.  You need to talk to your EP and find out his plan.  If he is going to remove the lead....you want to make sure he does about a hundred of these removals per year. 

I waited almost 2 months to have my lead corrected......long story.  I also have a defibrillator but there was still no emergency to replace it.  The defibrillator still would have shocked my heart if necessary.

If the incision is healed by next week, I would remove the bandage as instructed so that your skin can breathe.  But that's just me.....my skin doesn't like adhesives or glue, etc.   

New Lead

by Good Dog - 2016-12-28 20:12:57

I am not sure I understand. Do you have a dual chamber PM, an ICD or a CRT? I am assuming that you have a dual chamber PM and one of your leads was bad and thus, being replaced?? They should not have released you until they re-positioned the new lead. The same thing happened to me, but the lead was fixed the next day. They took me back into surgery the next day. Really, re-positioning the lead is no big deal. I am just surprised they didn't do it immediately before you healed-up. 

I would seriously question your doc about that one. You need to demand some answers. If they knew when you were in recovery that the lead needed re-positioning, they should have done it immediately. If your doc doesn't give you satisfactory answers, then you need to find a new one ASAP. The fact that your doc is very busy should not be your problem. If it is, then it is time to find a new doc.

Not to worry about the re-positioning of the new lead, but it just needs to be done.

Best wishes,

David

3rd lead

by bgarza - 2016-12-29 11:25:48

Thank you for your responses. I do have a dual chamber PM.  My upper chamber lead is working, adding the 3rd was a preventive measure as the upper lead would need replacement. My first PM was placed April 2009. I'm hopeful that it will all be resolved soon. My EP is one of the best in El Paso. But I will definitely ask what happened and why wasn't it fixed that afternoon. Thank you for reassurance that repositioning the lead isn't bad. God bless you.

3rd lead working

by bgarza - 2017-02-03 20:40:50

I went for my follow up after my pm repacement and new 3rd lead (the lead that was dinging my diaphram). The lead was turned off and at my appointment the Medtronic Tech turned it on and it was working correctly where it should've been in the first place. My EP said that this was not unusual as well as the tech. Anyone have this type of experience? Now that this lead is working I feel a fullness in my chest and my pulse stronger. Am I just being extra sensitive to the 3rd lead?? 

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