is this normal?

just got my ID card. I have a metronic adapta dual chamber PM and St. jude's leads. is it normal to "mix and match" the generator and leads? anybody know about this? I thought PM and leads should be the same. is it a cost factor?
thanks for 'filling' me in.
veronika

3 Comments

Mixing Brands

by SMITTY - 2011-03-06 05:03:07

Hi Veronika,

I don't think there is anything unusual about mixing brands of leads and pacemakers. On a new implant job, it is Dr choice and I see no reason for them to not use whatever they think is best. It could be the result of several different things, such as length of lead that is needed or the type of attaching device on the end of the lead or other things I can't even guess about.

As for mating one brand of lead with a different brand of pacemaker it is done all time with pacemaker replacements. Most of the time the old leads are used whether the same brand of PM is used or not.

As for the reason to change brands of PM during a PM replacement, I can tell you what my Dr told me. The battery died and I had to have a replacement for my Medtronic PM about a year ago and the I asked the Dr what brand would he be using. He said it would be a St. Jude and when I objected and said I wanted another Medtronic, he agreed without hesitation. I then asked why the change in brands and his reply was "I guess the hospital gets a better deal from St. Jude"

My reason for not wanting to change brands, well I was just being stubborn. (My wife said I was just being like the North end of a South bound horse). But I thought they should have told me of their plans to change brands on a device as important as my PM. They would not have told me if I hadn't asked.

Smitty

hi smitty

by veronika - 2011-03-06 07:03:58

thank you for your answer and explanation. I guess it will be quite a while til I get the replacement and it is good to know that we can ask for the same "brand". you are such an experienced PM"wearer" that your comments are always helping me and others. also if we know something works well, why change it. good that you were stubborn. I guess I need more practise to speak up and let the EP and docs know what is going on. I did not have much support from my husband because he thought doctors can't go wrong. but when the first implant was done not "right" he changed his thinking and helps me to be more assertive.
again, thanks, smitty. this forum is great. I don't feel stupid asking maybe "dumb" questions. I feel accepted.

I do too!

by michelefromthemitten - 2011-03-07 10:03:10

I have medtronic leads and a biotronik generator! They told me it is normal :)

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