lead wire extraction of leads that are 30 years ol

Need a replacement next month -I have had this unit for 5 years longest ever-But I am 51 had my first pacemaker at nineteen have had one every 2 years -Lots of abandoned leads -Had and extraction 7 years ago they aimed for 6 got 2 and a half -one broke -had to go on a blood thinner and they managed to get 2 new leads in -Now they say my battery is done in 4 weeks and I have to have an extraction -scared to death -My leads are so very old-Anyone have 30 year old leads removed ??

4 Comments

Extraction

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-15 01:08:07

The only suggestion I have it to be sure and have the extractions done by a surgeon and facility with plenty of experience. There are several top hospitals around the country that do the procedure. Maybe someone else will jump in and make some recommendations.

Best wishes,

frank

Old leads removed

by bergenbird - 2011-08-15 03:08:15

Hi---
I'm on my 4th pacemaker, the first two lead pacemaker in 1991, the second in 1995, as one of the leads was recalled, the third pacemaker replacement was in 2008 because it was 14 years old and now in 2011, I upgraded to a three lead pacemaker/defibralator. In 1995 the leads were removed at Hackensack University Medical Center ( one of 8 hospitals in the Country chosen to do the extraction). In 2011 I had the older lead from 1991 removed by the same electrocardiologist who inserted all the others. At the time he inserted the first in 1991 he was one of 300 such physcians in the country. Use a hospital thats tops in the field as I did. I'm fine . Good luck

Hi,

by Gellia3 - 2011-08-15 09:08:23

My "in use" leads are 30 years old now. So far they are functioning fine but if I had to have them removed I'd check out Bruce Wilkoff at the Cleveland Clinic.
That's where I'd go if mine ever needed removal.

There is also Charles Byrd in Ft Lauderdale, although I'm not sure he's still practicing. He was one of the inventors of the Excimer Laser Sheath for wire removal that most doctors use now.

With wires that old you want someone VERY experienced.

Good luck! Please let us know how you do.
My very best to you,
Gellia

Extraction of old lead wires

by Tealady - 2014-08-26 01:08:09

I am 9 days out from having 2 leads that are 32 yrs old removed plus 2 leads that are 15 yrs old and one new lead (from the left side of heart). New specialist in lead extraction will implant an ICD model with pacemaker capabilities because I have had a complete right side heart block plus the sinus node also doesn't work. To be honest, I am scared but have peace and confidence in new dr whose experience and speciality is electro cardiology. So when I am up and causing trouble once again (after surgery) I will post about my experience.

As to the "other, fired" dr not sure what I need or should do....so frustrated and angry. I just wrote a long post about all the problems with "other, fired" dr if you want to read more about what I am going through. I just want my quality of life to be more about living fully rather than quality of life being more about dying.

Will be thinking of you and praying!
Blessings!
Tea lady Bonnie

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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