Father's possible replacement

Hello...My father has a pacemaker/defibillator and has had it for about 5 years now. One of the leads is bad and they are going to see if just the lead needs to be replaced or the whole thing. I guess they won't know until they go in. The Dr's said that it went bad because the pacemaker is constantly working because he is in Afib all the time? Not sure what all that means since my dad doesn't ask questions enough. I am wondering if either of these procedures are something to be scared of? I know there are risks with everything but my dad is in not the best of health, of course. He has had quad bypass surgery and they could never seem to get him out of Afib. Thank you for any insight you can give me since I am a bit lost.

2 Comments

Possible PM/D-Fib & Lead Surgery

by SMITTY - 2010-10-22 01:10:23


Hello BKM,

First let me say I can understand your concern about your father. I'm 81 and have had a quad bypass two pacemakers plus a bunch more stuff not worth mentioning right now. But I know how our kid are when one of us (their mother is also 81) has to have any surgical procedure.

However, the pacemaker replacement is less of a procedure than the initial implant. If the lead replacement is necessary it will make the surgery a few minutes longer, but because of the tools they have today for removing old leads the procedure is low risk.

As for whether the battery in the PM/D-Fib unit will need to be replaced they will know that before they even start the procedure as that can be determined with a PM checkup.

I'll not try to comment on the need for the lead needing replacement because the PM is working all time due to A-Fib. You are into an area I have not heard of before, so I'll leave that one to your doctor. However, I will mention that we frequently have members telling of procedures they have undergone to stop A-Fib and they are very happy with the results.

But for you I say try to relax. Your Dad will be in good hands and the procedures he will have are not as bad as they may sound right now.

I wish you and your Dad the best,

Smitty

Replacement/afib

by Hot Heart - 2010-10-24 03:10:59

Hi!

I've not yet had a replacement so I cant personally comment on it, other than I saw lots of people in and out having replacements when I was in hospital. It was like a conveyor belt, they came in had it done, had a cup of tea and a biscuit and went home, many of them elderly, none of them seemed in any way concerned.

I get, or did get, afib, the way the doctor described it to me was like an electrical storm in the heart, but not dangerous. V fib is dangerous. The most important thing that my doc told me about afib was to keep the blood thin, I do this with a glass of red wine a day as I'm not on medication.

I am convinced that my afib was caused by anxiety!

Hope things go well

HH

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