Lead replacement

Tomorrows the day!  The third lead of my Medtronic device has gone dead and my EP will open me up tomorrow to see what he can do. This third lead has not been in an optimal position ever since an EP at TCAI installed it back in 2012. It's been eating up battery life and has gone "dead."

EP hasn't made any promises, since it's a tricky procedure. Replace the lead and leave the old in place or not? Or do nothing?  We'll see!!

7 Comments

Lead replacement

by Domkin - 2020-03-10 00:00:14

Best of luck tomorrow. I will say a prayer for you 

Best of luck

by Benjijohn - 2020-03-10 00:31:53

Best of luck Dave H

You've got this mate

by wazz - 2020-03-10 05:19:14

Hope everything goes well mate, positive thoughts for you and your recovery 😁

Lead replacement

by Dave H - 2020-03-10 09:51:10

Thanks so much for the good wishes Folks!!!!

Pacemaker? Leads?

by Dave H - 2020-03-13 13:58:15

ARRRRGH!   I was on the table for 3+ hours while my EP tried to find a vein that he he could use to insert a new lead.  No luck!  Tissue scarring meant no go!  Next step?  He and I will talk about getting a cardiovascular surgeon involved to run the lead outside of any vein. I won't do that anytime soon 'cuz of the "run" on hospital space by the flu and COVID19 patients. 

Lead extraction

by Proud American - 2020-04-21 16:34:34

Damn Dave that's the crap I am scared of my fidelis lead was recalled and I postponed the device replacement because I didnt want to have the lead removed had one done in 05 and it sucked. I have never had either of my devices deliver a shock in the 16 years Ive had ICD implanted. Now my battery is totally dead and I have no insurance against SCD. I may just abandon the lead and have them insert a new one. My EP wants to pull it he says im a good candidate 60 yo. I dont know. Good Luck Dave.

Hey Proud American!

by Dave H - 2020-04-21 17:54:20

EP feels - for me- that he'll leave my dead third lead in me and turn me over to a surgeon who'll install an epicardial lead - using a small incision and camera aid. EP says the person who will do the work is pretty skilled. I'll probably go for it but, not until the virus thingy has waned.

 

You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

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I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.