my mother in law has had a guidant icd
and they just told her the leads are bad.
has anyone else experienced this
situation ?

 

I had my first PM (Medtronics Stratoes) put in on Oct 15, 09 and thought it would last at least 5 years. I learned this past week that my battery is indicating that it only has 8 months or less left on it. My settings are more than double the normal because my heart requires it to work. I pace 100% on one lead and 80% on the second and then 50% on the third lead. Has anyone ever had to have their PM replaced so quickly? Also I will probably have at least one of the leads replaced. Will my recovery be like the original surgery so that I have to stay overnight and not lift my arm for a month? Any thoughts?

 

I have a couple of questions concerning a lead going bad. I have a medtronic dual lead pacer and the lead going to my upper chamber gave high readings during my last interrogation in July and will need replacement sometime in the future. My pacemaker works 40% of the time in the upper chamber (the lead that’s going bad) and in the high 90% in the lower chamber.
Questions????
How long can it take for lead to go completely bad?
If this lead quits working will my pacer still maintain its 60 BPM minimum??
Will I know when it quits working?

Thanks for any info

Tom

 

I just went for my bi annual reading of my Medtronic pacemaker that was installed 3 years ago to treat Bradycardia and 3rd stage blockage.
My normal readings for the top chamber were usually in the 15-20 % pacing range and zero for the bottom chamber.
Now the top chamber is 12%, which is fine but the bottom chamber shows 40% pacing. Quite a big jump in usuage. The technician didn't seem too concerned since there are patients with 100% pacing but this is out of the norm for me.
The only changes in the recent past was a change in meds to Bystolic, 2.5 mg a year ago. The cardio Dr usually reads the reports after a few days and I guess will get back to me if he sees a problem
Has this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts f...

 

Hi guys,
I'm new in the club... I had my pacemaker implanted on 08/18/10 so I'm only 5 days with it. I try to do my best to follow the instructions, I'm pretty sure I didn't raise the hand above the shoulder, and didn't carry anything with the arm. I got my pacemaker because IST that reacts very bad to medicines (4 times this half of year in the ICCU and 2 times vantilized and anesthetized in the ICU one time for 10 days and the other for 2, everytime on different med), they haven't started the medicine so there's theoritically no chance for collapse, the pacemaker don't do a thing now because I'm on my usual 170 sinus tach.

The thing is I do still feel pain around the shoulder where the device is implanted. What I should ...

 

Howdy fellow cyborgs:

This is a link to the artical I posted about a couple of weeks ago about the leadless defribillator:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/08/06/20100806phoenix-man-receives-new-style-defibrillator.html

Apparently, it does have leads of some sort, they just aren't inside the heart like a pacemaker's have to be. Has anyone heard of Cameron Health, inc from San Clemente CA?

Cheers. It nice and sunny in Aspen.

 

Hi folks, not posted on here in what seems like an age. Think last time was my 2nd anniversary which was April this year.
I hope all is well with you guys?!
I have a bit of a thing happening and I'm slightly concerned about some lead damage. The thing is I keep getting a stabbing pain in my left side sort of rib cage area right under my left breast. It's usually when I'm lifting my arm above my head. Now all I know is I do have a dual lead pm but was told I only use the one. They put the other there incase as they wasn't 100% sure if I'd need it. I have heart block and always thought I'd know if I pulled a lead as I would almost definately faint.
I had a pm check 2 weeks ago and they never said anything. Would they know at ...

 

I have already posted that my father decided not to have his battery replaced in his om. He is 93 1/2 and said he's tired and ready to "go home". I have noticed in the last week that he is beginning to experience shortness of breath mainly at night and in the morning when he gets up. Is there a connection between this and battery failure?

 

Does anyone know of a web site or a place I could get information with comparisons of different pacemaker manufacturers. Listings of recalls, strength of the company, pacemaker advancements, what is new in the technology and the history of the company, are some of the areas I would like to know more about, especially Medtronic and Boston Scientific (Guidant) Thank you for your help
Leslie

 

I read an artical in a science magazine about a new LEADLESS defribulator coming out. It can sense and zap the heart without lead implants! Should be great news for folks.

More disturbing, was that the artical was saying that 40% of people with of leads need new leads in about 8 years.

I have a regular duel-lead Medtronics PM, not a zapper. . I wonder if those types of leads last longer.....

 

I had my device changed today. It went well. I was at the hospital at 6 am for 8 o'clock change and was home by 2:30. I feel pretty good. I think the worse part was getting the iv in, it took 6 tries. (and they ended up not putting it in the arm the dr originally wanted it in) I was in and out during it. The novacaine stared wearing of a couple times. When they checked me before hand my hr without the pm was 33. I did take a nap when I got home and will take it easy the next few days. (I'm on vacation now so that helps) I did get a prescrition for perceset in case it's need. I may need it tomorrow when I have to change the bandage. Have a feeling it will hurt taking the tape off. (my skin is sensative. Last time I got a rash and it hurt j...

 

I appreciate everyones responses regarding my upcoming laser lead surgery. My first dual chamber pacemaker was in 1983. That pacemaker only lasted 2-1/2 years before replacement. I have had so many surgeries for my pacemaker and lead wires, I start to get dates confused. I try not to dwell on things and just live for the moment. I look at this whole thing regarding our hearts and the rest of our body as a machine. Some of us try to take good care of our bodys and do what we are suppose to do, but sometimes we are dealt lemons and there really isn't much we can do but deal with the problems as they arise. Actually, after I was first dx with my condition when I was 28 (actually, I complained all my life, but doctors all told me it was in my...

 

Just want to let everyone know I am schedule for the laser lead extraction in 2 weeks. They will try to extract 3 of my leads (2 are 27 years old and 1 is 17 years old - 2 ventricular and 1 artrial). I have had lead fractures in the past and with this new fracture they will not put in anymore leads without extracting the old. 4 leads is the maximum they will allow in the superior vena cava. I am a veteran with pacemakers - having had 4 battery replacements in the past and another in about a year. Also have had ablations and a few other minor problems. I am expecting this procedure to go well and hopefully no comlications. I will let you know how everything goes after the procedure since I can't find many of you who have had the las...

 

Hi All!
I am new to this pacemaker club, so if you guys can tell me anything I need to know that would be great!
Megan

 

This is what Mayo Clinic sent me home with after a transesophageal echo they would not do a pulmonary ablation because they found two 2.5cm linear, mobile densities attached to RA lead in right atrium. Diagnosis thrombus or vegetation. They did some blood cultures and want my blood to be thinner and have my Dr at home take care of it and come back in 2 months. Has anybody had this?

 

The post from the lady whose mother chose not to have her pm replaced resonated with me. My daddy is 93 1/2, his wife, my stepmother, died four months ago. Right after her death Daddy was due for his three month pm check and was told he had about six months of battery life left. He is 100% dependant on his pm (according to the cardiologist). Daddy weighed his options and declared he is ready to go home! He has since then been hospitalized with a broken ankle from a fall. During his stay he signed a living will that states he is to receive comfort care but DNR otherwise. The doctor recomennded that I contact Hospice and I did and absolutley love them. Last week the RN who has Daddy's case said that she could detect a couple of extra...

 

Hey,

I'm kinda new here, I had my first pacemaker implanted 2 1/2 weeks ago due to high grade AV Block.

I was just wondering how common it is to pull/dislodge a lead? I have my first checkup (+xray and echo) in a few days. I was told not to lift my arm above my head for the first 4 weeks after surgery but I have totally cheated!!! as soon as it was strong enough I've been lifting my arm above my head for necessary things....maybe a dozen times or so.

Just wondering how common it is to dislodge a lead just after surgery? and if anyone has ever had this happen, what does it feel like & did they need more surgery to correct the placement of the lead?

 

My first pacemaker was back in 1983 and I have had 4 pacemaker replacements since then and I'm due for another replacement in about 1-1/2 years. I also am having problems with my ventricular lead. I have had 2 lead fractures in the past, thus there are 4 leads presently in my heart. Dr. says I will have to have the laser lead extraction since they don't want to put anymore in and I'm 56 years of age and will probably have future lead problems. Has anyone had the laser lead extraction and how difficult was it for leads that are almost 27 years old? Also, how long does the procedure take if they have to take out 3 leads. They also reset the ventricular lead that is having problems to a unipolar lead instead of bipolar until I have the ...

 

Does anyone know if a dislodged lead can be sucked up thru the veins and along the armpit and down the arm? I was told to watch for uncontrolled hiccups, that may indicate a dislodged lead. i haven't raised my arm above my head, but have raised it to shoulder level, had pacemaker about a month now, and have something weird going on under my arm.

 

DOES ANYONE HAVE A PAIR OF LEADS GOING ACROSS THE CHEST INTO THE HEART FROM THE OUTSIDE, INSTEAD OF THRU THE VEINS INTO THE HEART ?

ORIGINAL PACER WAS IMPLANTED IN 1989 AT THE AGE OF 19. WHEN I HAD THE LEADS EXTRACTED IN 2001 BY DR. CHARLES BYRD, HE PUT MY NEW PACER LOWER INTO MY RIGHT CHEST, PUT LEADS ACROSS MY CHEST AND DIRECTLY INTO MY HEART.

I HAVE ALOT OF REALLY SHARP INTENSE CHEST PAIN.
ECHO AND CT LOOK GOOD. WAS TOLD I HAVE ALOT OF SCAR TISSUE FROM SURGERY.

WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS LEADS PLACED LIKE MINE AND HOW ARE YOU DOING.

THANKS

CMG