crossed wires

I have had a pacemaker for 5 years with no problems, but recently a close friend had a pacemaker implanted to control a low heart beat. During the procedure a wire meant for a blood vessel was implanted in his heart. He now faces a surgery to rectify the situation. What risks exist for my friend?

4 Comments

Crossed wires

by Joedon - 2009-03-05 06:03:43

I have had a pacemaker for 5 years with no complications. A few days ago, a friend had a pacemaker implant and has just learned that a wire meant for a blood vessel was mistakenly implanted in his heart. His pacemaker is meant to control a very low pulse rate. He is preparing to go into surgery to remedy the mistake. Any thoughts on potential risks?

hmmmmm

by BillMFl - 2009-03-05 10:03:57

Something got crossed alright. Did you mean that a lead meant for his heart wound up in a blood vessel by mistake? Since the lead was newly implanted, his risk should not be much different from the original implant. Perhaps it migrated after the surgery?

lead routing

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-06 01:03:26

I think your friend is mixed up somehow. The normal implant is to route the leads down through a large vein into the heart. The only risk your friend would have is if it wasn't routed that way.

frank

crossed wires

by kcruz - 2009-03-06 07:03:42

When I had my device upgraded in 2005 my leads were reversed but it wasn't in the vessel it was actually reversed in the header of the device. If that is what you are referring to it is a matter of opening the pocket and disconnecting and reconnecting the wires. there is a higher risk for infection when this is done. ( and of coarse there is the number it puts on you trust with you physician)

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.