Removing PM and Leads?

Has anyone had their PM and leads removed?

My cardiologist told me my leads have migrated into my NECK and she'd like to remove both the leads and (if possible) the PM it'self as it should never have been inserted to start with, I should have have an "eppie pen".

It's been in for about 4 years and relocated 3 years ago due to my breast cancer and it being in the way of radiation.

3 Comments

Leads removed

by donr - 2011-01-22 01:01:51

Try Emory in Atlanta. My intervention guy who put my second pacer in does it all the time w/ high success rate. Said he got into the procedure because no one else liked doing it. Said he's done it so long he is comfortable w/ the procedure now & thinks nothing of removing leads. Uses a laser to do the job.

I have three leads in vein leading into heart. Broke one & they placed a replacement for it. Said they cannot put a 4th lead in that vein, so I face a potential removal. We've talked about it at length.

Name is Mikhael El Chami (Phonetic). He's an ethnic Lebanese; been in the US for quite a while & has quite a reputation as a high quality surgeon here.

Don

eppie pen?

by kermiehiho - 2011-01-22 03:01:46

Isn't an eppie pen the thing you inject for severe allergic reactions? Isn't that quite a bit different from a pacemaker?? Hard to imagine how something like that could happen...

Removing PM and Leads?

by lady4law - 2011-01-22 11:01:17

Yes that's exactly what an Eppy Pen is, for allergies. I have gone into cardiac arrest 6 times due to an allergy reaction to a RX medicine. My present cardiologist said as this was NOT a true heart issue I should have only had the Eppie Pen, however the PM did save my life while I was undergoing chemo. My PM (normal quiet) shocked my heart over 60 times during my infusements. Lucky I had it them, but only then.

Don: As I live in LA, I think it would be very difficult to fly to Atlanta for treatment, not to mention my insurance would not cover it, outside of my approved Drs, all located in Cedar's Sinai, Beverly Hills. Thank you.

(BTW I have 4 leads, and have noticed new veins on my left arm. My Cardio told me this is not that strange, The body makes new veins to assist the blood flow. If you look at your wrist, you can see the vein. My right arm has one view showing through the skin, the left FOUR. Strange, right?
Jean

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