Pacemaker Club: two pacemakers

two pacemakers

by patrickctown
2017-10-23 13:25:03
Complications
1276 views
2 comments

I have a Medtronic dual-chamber, rate-responsive device that is 4 1/2 years old. A lead failed. My cardiologist scheduled me for a lead replacement. When I awoke after surgery, I still had my original pacemaker plus a new pacemaker on my other side. I was told the new lead could not be placed so I received a new device plus leads and the old device plus leads were left in place. I was told the old components were left in so I might have future MRI's. Is there anyone out there with two pacemakers? If so, are physical activites severely impacted or limited? Any opinions on removing the old pacemaker plus its leads? Thank you for any response.

Patrick Town

Troy, NY

2 Comments

I Would Have a lot of Questions

by Grateful Heart - 2017-10-23 23:23:04

And a 2nd opinion from another Cardio.

Is your new PM MRI compatible? If not, then that reasoning goes out the window since most will not do an MRI if the device and leads are not MRI safe. If it is, then they don't need the old one anyway. Lots of questions Patrick.

If they had to place a new device on the other side, I would think they would remove the old device, cap the leads if they don't want to remove them (and they probably don't after 4 years) and then start over on the other side.

Seek a 2nd opinion if that is the reason they gave for leaving the first device in.

Grateful Heart

Wow

by Finn - 2017-10-27 19:39:24

I bet that was a surprise! I recently had two new leads put in , they extracted the old leads, it is more involved but better if it can be done. Mine were in for 8 yrs and removed with a laser sheath.

id seriously look into having the old pm and wires removed but make sure the dr has done it before, I had mine done in Az.