Leads became Disconnected

I had my first pacemaker surgery on 7/23/09 and everything seemed to be going well until 8/09/09 when leads apparently became disconnected and the pacemaker began "firing" constantly instead of when my heart rate drop. The lead was apparently stimulating my diaphram. I was taken back into the hospital to have new leads attached. Has anyone ever hhad this happen to them? The second surgeon explained that it was nothing that I had done and said that he was putting in longer leads. In the mean time, after a month since the second surgery I am still havinh a lot of pain near the collar bone and of couse the pacemaker seems to move alot. Is this normal. I asked the doctors and they say yes but they don't have pacemakers so I would like feedback from people that understand how they feel. Thanks!

3 Comments

PM Problems

by SMITTY - 2009-09-15 01:09:08

Hello Irishome,

I'm a little late, but welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

I feel like a bunch of us owe you an apology for not replying to your question before now. I saw your message the day it was posted, but I passed because of the title as I don't feel that I know a lot about leads and their problems. Since there are a number of people here that do know a lot about every part of the pacemaker operation I was leaving it to them to reply.

Now I have a few comments that may help, or at least give you some food for thought. I don't know why you are having all the problems you are having, but I can say with absolute certainty your pacemakers moving around a lot is not normal. The reason they put what I call "tie down" holes in pacemakers is so the doctor can suture the thing in place. I have seen others talk about their PM moving around and right or wrong, I think it is the fault of the doctor when this happens. Of course I'm basing that opinion on my own experience since I've had my PM 9 years and it has never moved one iota. I will say we do see questions about pacemakers moving occasionally, it is not very often.

As for your lead problem, again doctor failure to do something right comes to mind. I mean think about it, there are several million pacemakers in use today and if just a few percentage of them were causing the problem your's is causing, there would be a waiting list several days long to get one of the things checked.

As for it firing constantly, until I'm proven wrong, I'm inclined to think that may be more of a pacemaker setting problem than a lead problem.

Now forgive me for asking the next question because I'm not trying to tick you off, but were you the first pacemaker implant your doctor has done? Actually it sounds more like you may have been at the mercy of a resident than an experienced electrophyoligist. If at all possible, I would suggest that you find another doctor to take over the care of you and your pacemaker.

Good luck,

Smitty

Thanks for answering me!

by Irishone - 2009-09-15 03:09:39

Thanks for the info Smitty! I am happy to report that the pacemaker is not moving around so anymore. I contacted a pacemaker nurse at the hospital where the procedure was performed and she advised me that the pocket takes a while to set. As for the tie down holes..you are right and they probably did not use them.

Funny that you should ask about the surgeon. Actually he is a Senior member of a very large practice in the mid-atlantic region and prior to the surgery the staff attending me at the hospital commented that he was the best and if they had to have the procedure then it would be him that they would choose. Frankly, I think he just did not allow enough length on the leads and they pulled out. The actual x-ray showed one in straight instead of with the curve that they are supposed to have to hook it to the heart. The other one had come completely dislodged. I am afraid that I now do not have any faith in this doctor, despite his glowing reputation so I will be doing as you suggested and finding another surgeon. By the way, the second implant seem to be doing fine at 5 weeks now...so fingers crossed :)
Once again, thanks for taking the time to calm my fears and answer my questions. I greatlly appreciate your time!
Irish

diaphram

by berrybasket48 - 2009-09-23 03:09:33

Hi Irishbone,
I think my problem was somewhat like yours. The day after my initial pm implant, I had what I called "blips" in my side, which turned out to be my diaphram being stimulated by the pacemaker leads. I ended up back in the ER in less than 2 weeks, getting lead reattached. Like you, I had no idea of what to expect and others said that to be glad to feel "blips", it means pm working. So, no it's not normal to feel these sensations to any great extent. Since my 2nd lead attatchment, no more diaphram firing. Pray they get yours completely repaired and that all goes well.

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