Slipping pacemaker

Hello again, Luke here.

I had a pacemaker installed about 20 months ago. It has been fine as far as I can tell, since it supposedly only works if I get below 40 bpm. However, a few weeks ago I noticed it had slipped from just below my collarbone about an inch. I can feel and see the leads. I did go to the cardio's offfice where they just did a phone check on it and I haven't had a report yet. The nurse said this was not unusual and not to worry. I tell you what, when a nurse tells me not to worry, I begin to worry. What I want to know is where that extra inch of leads came from.

Have any of you had a similar situation? Thanks

2 Comments

EXTRA LEADS

by pete - 2008-08-07 03:08:33

The leads are always longer than is theorectically necessary to give the EP the ability to adjust the position on insertion. There is also a need anyway for excess, as the EP needs to put the wires into the pacemaker whilst it is held in his hand just outside your body. The EP usually coils any excess wire in a loop and pushes it all under the skin in the pocket he or her has made along with the pacemaker. It is impossible for the EP to make a exact precise pocket so there is always a bit of extra room. It is not unusal to find that your pacemaker has moved a bit or that you have noticed or can feel your leads under your skin. Your question as to where the leads have come from is best answered by saying that they could have come from behind your pacemaker which has now moved a bit exposing them, or that you have only just realised or become aware of their existence . This is not uncommon and the nurse is correct in telling you not to worry. I pesonally have quite a bumpy area of skin above my pacemaker which is caused by my leads. This measures about 2 inches in length. Cheers pete

Thanks

by Luke - 2008-08-07 08:08:01

Thanks for the input Pete and Hang in:) It was just a walk-in appointment and a nurse did it. I am considered the patient from hell, because I ask too many questions for an old guy. Over age 65 we are supposed to acquiesce. I am way older than that and unacquiesced....perhaps close though. Luke.

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