Three wire leads for pace-maker

I have a 2 wire pace-maker and its not helping too much. So my Cardio mentioned a third wire lead to help my heart work better. I can't do much I get so tired, gain water weight, and feel like I have anemia. All I do is sit in my chair or do some tasks but just doing some laundry wears me out. I also have depression and anxiety.

How safe is this sugery? I am scared and any info would be helpful. The two wire pacemaker is already in. However,he said they will add a third wire to PM I already have in chest.
He said there are more risks because of the nature of putting in third wire!

Thank you!

7 Comments

3 lead devices

by mrag - 2010-01-17 01:01:25

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you with currently a single lead device and my EP is 'highly' recommending a three lead (I believe it is called a CRT for cardio resyncronization therapy and it becomes CRT_D if it has a defibrillator). I forget his full reasoning but part was with a low EF and a lot of A-fib, he made it sound like a no brainer choice for me. I'm due for a battery change in about 9 months and he said that would be a perfect time to do it.

Supposedly 30% have "great" results, 30% have "good" results, 30% have almost no change and not sure about the others. I've have heard some people end up with "hiccups" because one wire runs near a nerve, but that can be fine tuned to correct.

risks

by Tracey_E - 2010-01-17 08:01:55

Two leads keep your heart beating fast enough. Three leads synchronize the ventricles to improve efficiency. Adding the third lead is trickier than the first two, but it's not a high risk procedure. Everything has risks, even driving to the grocery store. This is just my opinion, but for me a small risk would be better than spending life in a chair. Getting active is a great way to fight depression, it's hard to be cheerful when you feel bad all the time and day to day things wear you out.

There are quite a few members here who have had it done and have had tremendous improvement in how they feel. Off the top of my head I can't think of any serious complications resulting from the third lead. Do a search for CRT and you should be able to find the older posts.

One thing I don't understand, 2 lead and 3 lead devices are not the same and it would be odd to give you one ready for 3 lead when they were only giving you 2 leads. I would expect to get a new device. It doesn't really matter either way (other than to the insurance company picking up the bill!), they have to go in the same place so it's all the same to you if they put in a new one or replace it.

Electrophysiologist (EP)

by ppt - 2010-01-17 11:01:03

My symptoms were much like yours and my Cardiologist was set to replace my dual lead with a bi-ventricular PM (3 lead) but referred me to an EP. After wearing an Event recorder for a month and 2 months of adjustments to settings I have avoided surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 the EP got me from 2 to an 8.5. Have you seen an EP? If not perhaps suggest a referral?

New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2010-01-17 11:01:30

Hello PowderPuff

I'll try add a few words to the good comment Tracey made.

Like Tracey said, I don't understand the part about turning your two lead pacemaker into a three lead pacemaker. There is no more of a place to put a third lead in a two lead pacemaker than it is to put the 5th wheel on a four wheeled vehicle. He will replace your existing two lead pacemaker with a pacemaker made for three leads and ad the third lead to the two you already have. Barring complications, which are ever present, the procedure will be no more, and possibly less, debilitating than your original implant.

I've heard people say their three lead pacemakers has done wonders for them because they have congestive heart failure and a low ejection fraction.

Good luck,

Smitty

Go for it !!!

by Melena - 2010-01-18 05:01:07

I had a pacemaker since 2006, only with one lead and I used to feel bad, very bad. I have problems with two valves and felt worse every day, I thought that I was going to die in any minute and once that I was desperate my doctor told me I needed a CRT and they cahnged the pacemaker and installed the other two leads in August 2008 and I am a totally different person. Now I can exercise every day and I am not going to tell you that I feel like nothing happens here but pretty much. When I got my first pacemaker they only put one of the leads because it was very difficult to install it and I almost die because they punched my lung, all my family was very nervous when they heard abouth three leads and nothing happened.

Good luck,

Melena

Need defib 3 wire

by bhardle - 2015-04-29 08:04:54

Just learned my meds are not helping and need a 3 wire defib. Nervous and need info from anyone out there who could give me some encouraging words. My Ef is 20%. I am 62 year old female who is pretty active and scared. Any words of advice??

3-wire vx. 2-wire

by GidA - 2018-03-21 00:55:38

My situation is similar to the above testimonies, but different. I had 2 stainless steel valves implanted in Mar, 2015 due to bacteria from a blood infection attacking my vavles. I got a 2-wire PM in Aug, 2016, which stabilized my heartbeat and gave me some energy for a few months. A year later my cardiologist said I needed a 3-wire because my left ventricle was barely pumping, leaving me lethargic. Got the 3-wire, followed by an infection. They pulled everything out, put me on 6 weeks of daily IVs, and now I am in a post-IV waiting period to see if any more infection appears. (I got Agent Orange in VN in 1969-70, and it messed me up big-time.) Right now I can do little more that walk to the mailbox and back. 3-wire will go on the right side and Drs. are nervous about multiple risks, including path for the third wire. I am ready to take the plunge. This is no way to live when there is a chance to get my life back. I am ready to get back to the gym and wrestle with my 21 month-old grandson. 

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

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