ICD and a DVT because

Hello, I’m new to the club. I’ve had my ICD for 12 years now. Back in 2013 it was replaced because my lead was recalled. Who whole device was replaced so that I had more battery life. With that said this week I was diagnosed with a DVT in my upper left extremity which from what I have been told is extremely rare. The Doctors determined that it was provoked by my ICD lead since that is where the clot is located. My Electrophysiologist was not to concerned and gave me that impression that he didn’t think that was the cause. But that I should take the blood thinner(Xaralto) that has been prescribed. It was my understanding that clotting is more prevelant after surgery when the device is implanted. I’m just confused as to why I got this clot now after so many years of having my ICD. I  never had one before. I’m just wondering if anyone else might have had a similar experience.

Thank You

4 Comments

Related Story

by NiceNiecey - 2017-11-04 20:18:19

Hi DinoMag and Welcome to the Club.

My DVT story is a bit like yours but only a bit.  I was about a week post 2-lead PM implantation and had a sore spot in my left armpit. So glamorous. My doctor didn’t want to see me but asked me go to the ER and, sure enough, ultrasound revealed that I had developed a DVT. I, too, went on Xarelto or one of the other newer drugs for the next few months. I eventually graduated to baby aspirin and eventually took myself off of that because I think it was causing me an ulcer. That was nearly 4 years ago and I haven’t had a problem since.

It sounds weird that you’d get a DVT 4 years after the fact. And if something in a lead is the cause, as it was suggested to you, it would seem that you need to do something about it. A DVT is nothing to mess with - especially in that region; i.e., less road to travel to cause a heart attack or stroke! And we’re both young! 

Perhaps you could follow up with your EP again and ask a few more questions about that lead. Was it an ER doc that made the initial diagnosis of the lead causing the DVT? I am convinced that excellent physicians see all sorts of horrible things on a regular basis and when something “small” like a DVT presents itself, it may not get the attention the patient thinks it deserves. OR the physician is just low key in general; think unflappable.

On a different note, we want you to fill in your member profile a bit more. It helps us help you if we know your gender, diagnosis, etc. At least we had your age; good start!

Keep us posted, Friend.

Niecey

ICD and DVT

by Dinomag - 2017-11-05 11:19:43

Thanks for the reply, Yes, it was a ER doctor who suggested the lead as the problem. My EP said it’s not the lead but that I need to be on Blood thinners. I’m not sure how long I’ll be on the blood thinner. I don’t think they know for sure what caused the DVT. Because it’s in the same location of the lead they (ER Doctors) assume that’s the cause. I’ll check my profile again but I’m pretty sure I added my information.

 

Thanks Again

Way to Go Dino!

by NiceNiecey - 2017-11-05 20:51:46

Thanks for filling out your member profile!

I'd go with the EP's opinion. Unfortunately, the reason for developing blood clots is not always known. That would drive me crazy! Just keep following what they recommend.

Niecey

 

Factor 5

by Dinomag - 2018-03-20 08:24:55

Yes, I went to a Hematologist who ran all kinds of tests and found nothing. So the conclusion is it was probably related to my defibrillator and the two leads that are implanted.

 

thanks

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