Pacer placement in abdomen
- by Angelie
- 2010-05-26 12:05:55
- Complications
- 5280 views
- 8 comments
Seriously, children that have had pacers, here's a question: When you grew up why did they move your pacer to your chest? And why can't adults have their pacer placed in their abdomen? I'm thinking it must be an issue with the leads.
I would think complication with rate response would be less since your pacer isn't right next to your arm. And people generally have at least a little more body fat in their abdomen than they do on their chest wall. People could wear any choice of top that they wanted without fear of showing their scar.
I'm just thinking that my body wasn't meant for a pacemaker. Maybe if they put it in my a$$ it would be better situated. The rate response would sense when I was sitting or not moving, and it would know when I was moving since most of us self propel with our legs.
Seriously why aren't pacers placed any where else but the upper chest? Just wondering......
8 Comments
alternate placements
by Tracey_E - 2010-05-26 01:05:55
If you go for the, er, posterior placement, you might want to ask for two so you look balanced in tight jeans. At least you'd get a good 20 yrs battery life.
My doc has done two under the breast, not behind like mine but put in from the bottom. I think Inga's is done that way. It's still in the chest, but considerably lower. You're sorta stuck on your placement unless you get new leads. They're only going to reach so far.
hee hee
by Angelie - 2010-05-26 02:05:43
Can you tell that I'm grasping at straws? LOL. I've also really wondered about abdomen placement and there's not a whole lot of info out there about it, so thanks for your input Sam.
I guess I'm in it for the long haul in a less than ideal situation. But maybe my doctor's and I will build some sort of understanding throughout this experience. I just wish I had thicker skin. I also thought I was resilient- mentally yes- physically not so much. Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve. It now has a whole new meaning. LOL.
LMAO
by qwerty - 2010-05-26 02:05:51
The world probably isn't ready for my A$$ to be electric!!!
you know how to keep me laughing!!!
uhhhh
by sam78 - 2010-05-26 03:05:45
so are you saying you would rather wear your heart on your a$$?? I am with qwerty.. I am not sure my a$$ nor your a$$ should have electricity in it.
Hey Blake!
by ElectricFrank - 2010-05-27 01:05:45
This parties getting rough. Better get them in line!!
I just looked down at spam filter letters and guess what:
fopoo.
frank
Pacer placement in abdomen
by lady4law - 2010-06-04 12:06:29
My PM cardiologist told me she does not like to implant PMs in the stomach because of infections.
I may have to undergo another relocation, had one 2 years ago, to ease up my pain. I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, 2 12 years ago. I have been in unbelievable pain ever since.
The PM was originally located on the left side of my chest, same side as the cancer. It had to be relocated so to be out of the way for radiation. It's now on the right.
It was placed, as were the wires, right over my ribs, first the expanders where placed over the wires, and eventually, the implants.
I am in constant, and severe pain. Had the PM been moved lower in my chest, I most likely would not be experiencing this pain. the connecting wires on the left - appear to be pinching something, and the PM on the other side has moved from under the reconstruction site to the top. The leads have moved to my neck!
I would not be in this mess if the PM had been placed in my stomach area.
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by sam78 - 2010-05-26 01:05:20
ok I cant respond to your question because i am too busy LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok sorry, i composed myself. It is a lead issue. Abdominal placed pacemakers do typically use epicardial leads. There isnt a good place to insert leads (in the vein) down in your abdomen. Also remember you got organs down there... with it in your belly you run the high risk of perforating the lining that surrounds your belly. Not ideal. It can be done though.. Now in the a$$... uhhhh maybe for you they could try it out.... ok now i am dying laughing.