crossed wires and insulation break

Hi,
I'm new here. I have a 5 year old PM. My PM has had a problem for awhile now, speeding up, sometimes to 170. An Xray shows crossed wires at the top. They believe the wires are rubbing and causing an insulation break. How serious is this and how serious is the replacement surgery for the leads? My Cardiologist wants to send me to Phoenix 7 hours away. I wasn't on my game to ask why must I go to a special place. Can anyone help me understand?
Thank you

6 Comments

reply

by sarge - 2011-02-18 01:02:08

Hey Grooven, I am not an expert but I was told by my Dr and his nurse that if I ever needed leads removed I would have to go to another hospital. It has to be done using laser and a lot of hospitals arent equipped for that.

thank you

by grooven - 2011-02-18 02:02:21

Thanks sarge, that gives me a lead to go on.

Good idea

by ElectricFrank - 2011-02-19 02:02:33

If you are having anything done to remove or replace leads you want to have it done in a setting where they do lots of them. It can be done relatively safely, but it is a tricky procedure.

frank

crossed wires

by supergas - 2011-02-19 04:02:41

The observation of "crossed" wires on a chest xray is not meaningful. Nearly all implants look that way simply because the two wires can twist around one another and end up looking that way. They cannot abrade each other. If there is a suspicion of a lead malfunction, its more likely due to subclavian crush syndrome resulting in conductor (metal) or insulation (polyethylene) failure, either of which can result in premature battery depletion.

Laser lead extraction is quite reasonable and should not be a problem since the leads are only 5 years old. Everyone is definitely right about having it done in experienced hands, however. Experience = having done at least 40 procedures and at least 20 per year.

Runaway pacers are like smallpox -unheard of these days. Suspect you have some type of tachycardia.

thanks supergas

by grooven - 2011-02-21 02:02:33

Had a heart monitor for a month. Showed nothing. It's definitely a problem with the PM. I just don't know what the probablem is. Going to Phoenix hopefully soon to a specialist. Every one has been so helpful I really appreciate all the ideas and support!!!

lead extraction surgery

by grooven - 2011-03-09 02:03:33

Hi everyone I'm going to Phoenix tomorrow for the lead extractions. It's very scary and I will keep you posted for anyone having to face this procedure. One question I have before going is, why don't I have to have a blood test prior to surgery? All surgeries I've had one must have a blood test. This is puzzling no pre-op testing.

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

Member Quotes

It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.