lead migration

i had a three-wire pacemaker-defib st. jude unit implanted feb. 18, 2008. at my 2-week checkup, the company reps had hard time finding the pacing feature.
doctor said one of the wires had migrated inside the heart vein and i wasn't getting the pacing feature. i'm scheduled to return to have this lead either pushed further into the vein or removed and have another one put in.
my question: why didn't they fix this problem when i was in hospital? i stayed overnight after the implant. the next a.m. the doctor said the lead had migrated and was using more battery power than usual for the pacing. then 2 weeks later i was told the lead moved too far away from other to provide pacing.
you has had similar issue? can the lead be adjusted or replaced and "guaranteed" to work this time? or is there a chance i will need even work surgery to get the pacing feature? is it even worth it? i have defib and they say this works.


2 Comments

ticktock

by tictock - 2008-03-09 09:03:32

wife is being treated for this problem for the last 6 months. check these sites www.aao.org --
www.macular.org
www.blindness.org
she is being treated with this lucentis (www.lucentis.com)
I am in florida

lead migration

by Elizabeth4 - 2008-03-10 08:03:38

It's not uncommon for leads to move out of place within 24 hours of placement. Sometimes it's from a cough, or moving the arm too much. It's usually easy to fix, but I am sorry you have to deal with it. It definitely needs to be taken care of

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