Battery change

Does a battery change require a replacement of the pacemaker?
Is the battery sealed in the pacemaker?

If such is the case, will the replacement include the latest technology including wireless checking of the device?

Thanks in advance for any info. you can give me.

jjk

5 Comments

Yes whole PM needs to be replaced

by janetinak - 2011-01-17 01:01:28

& as I am waiting my 3rd one I expect to be very up to date. At least for awhile as new advances all the time.

Good luck to us both,

Janet

Thanks Janet

by jjk - 2011-01-17 01:01:49

Am seeing my cardiologist tomorrow. I have both a and v leads and will ask for St Jude Accent PM.

When I last spoke with him, I understood him to want to use the same PM and keep costs to a minimum. ( Am on Medicare with United Health as secondary insurer.).

Will be very unhappy if he is not willing to use latest technology based on cost savings.

Will let you know his response.

jjk

changes

by Tracey_E - 2011-01-17 07:01:54

The computer and battery are one sealed unit, there is no way to replace just the battery and not replace the whole device. They will test the leads but leave them as long as they're working ok so you will not get new leads unless one has gone bad. And you would already have an indication if there is a problem so don't worry about that.

And yes, we get the latest and greatest when they replace it! When he said keep the same one, he might have meant keep the same manufacturer, do you have st judes now? They replace models all the time just like new models of cars every year, so it would be impossible to get the same one you got years ago.

Changes are a piece of cake, fast recovery. I'm on my 4th now.

Additional info

by jjk - 2011-01-17 12:01:10

I forgot to mention that I am a new member. Hello all.

I have a St Jude pacemaker model # 5380 inserted in 2004 for bradycardia.

Previously had ablation for afib, but still have to take medication. The pacemaker does not help reduce episodes of afib, but records episode duration.

The battery has to be changed in the next two months.

jjk

Good news from cardiologist

by jjk - 2011-01-18 01:01:52

Janet and Tracey, thanks for your comments. You were right on. Today the cardiologist told me I would receive the latest model...either St Jude or Medtronic.

Because I have other problems for which an MRI would be highly preferred, the Doc. is also looking into the possibility of a Medtronic "MRI friendly" PM. The problem there is the leads would probably also have to be changed. He wants to discuss the pros and cons of this new concept with both Medtronic consultants and his contacts at the Cleveland Clinic. I should get a decision from him in a week.

Will let you know if an MRI friendly PM can be made available at this time and any risks involved.

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Member Quotes

I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.