Pacemaker and lead replacement

• by Mark1956
• 2017-02-24 12:11:03
• Batteries & Leads
• 1429 views
• 2 comments

I received my first pacemaker on May 1, 2010 after being diagnosed with a 3rd degree AV block.  September 2015, my pacemaker reached its end of life and required replacement.  About 6 months after the replacement an issue developed where my pectoral muscle over my pacemaker started to beat like a heartbeat, around 10 beats then stop.  This was happening maybe once or twice a day.  I told the Dr. of what was happening and he just thought it was just a minor muscle spasm.  Interestingly enough, I could feel my heart beat differently, I needed to catch my breath and let it happened.  So, just before my should started to "beat" I videoed the even with my cell phone and showed the Dr. at the next visit.  The Dr. ordered testing of the pacemaker and the leads and it was discovered that the leads slipped from the pocket and insulation started to fray and were leaking into the muscle.

February 8th, the Doctors performed a complete extraction of both leads and pacemaker.  The new pacemaker and leads are now MRI compatible, and airport metal detector friendly.  The procedure beginning to end was a little over 5 hours and one night stay in the hospital.  A BIG shout out to the Doctors, nurses, and techniones of the Medical Center of the Rockies, Heart Center of the Rockies.  An assume, wonderful bunch of professionals.

Since my second pacemake was just a little over a year old, I donated it back to the hospital to be used as an external pacemaker in the event of  emergencies.  The Cardiologiest was very pleased to have it available if needed.