Failed atrial lead replaced successfully!

Great news

by shelee - 2017-05-13 09:48:12

So glad you are on the road to recovery.x

Question - I am curious

by LORIAAA - 2017-05-15 19:03:40

August 2016 I had a Medtronic Pacemaker (MRI compatible)  installed with 2 leads (screw-in Model 5076).  My leads perforated my heart wall.  I am curious - what type of leads were used on you during your first procedure.

I also had my leads replaced and had a wonderful surgeon.  I am doing good now - but had a difficult few months. 

Glad you are doing well!  (Pennsylvania)

Responding to LORIAAA

by Heartfelt - 2017-05-15 19:20:37

Hello Loriaaa, Thank you for your comment. I too had two leads and the models are 5076-52 and 5076-58.   Please tell me what difficulty you experienced after the revision surgery. 

I feel lucky to be alive too!

by LORIAAA - 2017-05-16 15:51:29

One of the leads perforated my heart wall allowing blood to leak into the pericardium.  After passing out a couple of times I was rushed back to the hospital by ambulance.  A catheter was put in place to drain fluid from the sac surrounding the heart.  The next day the leads were replaced with two new leads (model 4074 and 4574).  A day or two later the tube was removed.   As a result I suffered from pericarditis for the next few months and AFIB.  At this point I have not had AFIB since December and I am slowly reducing medication.  I have been in stage 3 cardiac rehab which has help me tremendously.  Life is finally getting back to normal.

Loriaaa

by Heartfelt - 2017-05-16 19:01:29

My case was somewhat different. After the pm implant I felt great in recovery, and then after 6 hours there was horrible pain emanating from the center of my chest and going up to and behind my left ear. It was the onset of a very forceful pericardial effusion.  Interventional pericardiocentesis couldn't stop the bleeding and cardiac tamponade quickly followed. They then opened me up to save my life. They repaired the perforation, but left the lead in; this is the lead that eventually failed and had to be replaced a few days ago. What a horror. It's not even a year since the original implant and I really can't do much besides walk long distances. But, I'm pacing. 

Thanks for sharing....

by LORIAAA - 2017-05-16 22:02:43

Seems like our experiences were very similar, but my leak was small enough to seal itself over a period of a few days.  They drained between 400 & 500 cc's of blood during that period.

I am 9 months out and feeling better everyday.  I hope to be back to my old self by the end of the year.