Pacemaker lead

Hi there!

by Lavender - 2024-09-29 13:10:05

I love listening to music as you stated in your bio.  It truly is soothing and rejuvenating. 
Your medical team will choose your best option next year. With progress always being made in healthcare, I am certain that your next lead will be what's best. Congratulations on such a long and successful journey with your lead!

A lot to discuss

by Gemita - 2024-09-29 14:43:35

Duffy, I just checked your bio history but it doesn’t tell me what your heart condition was that required you to have a pacemaker or how active you are?  

It appears you have a single ventricular lead.  I don’t know how dependent you are on right ventricular pacing?  If you only need single lead ventricular pacing, perhaps your team might consider replacing your current system with a leadless pacemaker?   On the other hand, if you are doing well with a single lead pacemaker, you may decide on a new single lead device, or even upgrading to a dual lead pacemaker?  It really depends on your heart condition and lifestyle.

Have you discussed any of this with your cardiologist/EP?  

The other matter that needs discussing is whether they intend to extract your 36 year old lead, or whether they can safely leave it in place?  A lot to consider

Old pacemaker lead replacment

by Duffy - 2024-09-29 15:12:22

Hi thankyou for your replies.I have a dual lead medtronic pacemaker.I had a pacemaker put in, in 1987 for congenital heart block.My first pacemaker lasted from 1987 to 2016.In 2016 i had a medrontic pacemaker fitted, and a new atrial lead.Now i will have to have a new pacemaker probably next year.They said that the old venticular lead will probably need changing, its a long pin and they dont make them no more.The tecnition said the newer leads are shorter, but he thinks they can use an adaper.Has anyone heard of this, i dont really want an extraction.Thanks.

Adaptor?

by Gemita - 2024-09-29 16:22:25

Duffy, I have read about a pacemaker lead adaptor which is a device used to adapt a pacemaker lead so that it can be connected to a pacemaker pulse generator produced by a different manufacturer.  I don't know whether this is the adaptor your doctors are considering?  Have they mentioned going to a different manufacturer or something like this for your next device and/or new lead?

Or perhaps they are considering leaving the old ventricular lead in place if it is still functioning well.  I am sure they will give good advice

Adapter

by Duffy - 2024-09-29 16:52:51

Hi Gemita, thankyou for your reply.The technition just said he thinks they can use an adapter to make the new lead fit.I think he was saying they may cap the old lead off, if there is room.My new atrial lead I had in 2016 was placed alongside my old atrial lead, which was capped off.I think I need to discuss things with a consultant.

Please let us know how they intend to extend a shorter lead using an adaptor/connector?

by Gemita - 2024-09-29 18:13:48

Duffy,  could you kindly come back and let us know what the consultant plans to do and how he will extend any new, shorter lead to reach the new device when it is implanted in the same pocket position, I presume?

As you say, it looks as though they intend to cap it off and abandon it rather than extract which will be safer.  I cannot imagine having more than one lead in one vein at a time, but two leads seem to be quite a normal finding today.

I hope otherwise you are doing well and that you have had a good pacing experience over the years.  I am still on device number one, so I have got this all to look forward to.  Thank you so much for your post

New lead

by Duffy - 2024-09-29 18:32:02

Hi gemita, thankyou for your reply.I will let you know, it might not be for a few months.Yes i have had a good experience with pacemakers, i just seem to have trouble with leads, but having said that, i cant complain at a 36 year old lead.

Adaptor

by piglet22 - 2024-09-29 21:02:05

Connectors are the bane of electrical and electronic equipment.

Manufacturers have a vested interest in making their own connectors that don't conform to standards to make sure customers are tied to their leads etc.

Apple got into trouble with their Lightning connector.

In other industries, standardisation goes without saying. A BNC connector is a BNC connector. Decades old.

I don't know if PM leads are standardised or not. It's such a specialised item that each manufacturer might make their own connectors and any extensions.

The age of the lead might mean that it's an obsolete item. Obsolete doesn't mean that spares etc. aren't available.

I would be surprised though if a company like Medtronic had not thought this through nearly 40 years ago and forseen the need for adaptors or capping devices 

I would make sure that you get your information from the horse's mouth and that means Medtronic itself, and someone with a lot of equipment experience.

Lead adapter

by Duffy - 2024-09-30 10:04:18

Thankyou piglet22, for your reply.

27 year old leads

by diacat - 2024-10-18 12:58:43

I will be following your  situation as I too am concerned about old leads.  I am going to be 80 in a few months so I probably shouldn't worry as I doubt I will outlive my leads considering yours are 36 years old.  I look forward to reading about the outcome from your procedure