Axillary Vein Implantation

I recently had a pacemaker implanted via the axillary vein rather than sub-clavicle vein. Anyone have any experience with this type of implantation and exercise? I have read about the clavicle pinch, but wonder what the dangers are for the axillary vein type?

4 Comments

Thank you

by LJRytel - 2011-05-04 03:05:21

Thank you very much for the advice and comments!

I have both

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-04 07:05:11

As Patch said, it ends up in the same vein and they put it in whichever is closest to where they place the device. It may have been done this way to get the pm in a less conspicuous spot. If you look at this picture, you'll see the axillary is off to the side more
http://legacy.owensboro.kctcs.edu/gcaplan/anat2/notes/ha5lf2026b_a.jpg

My first leads were put in the subclavian. I got a new lead last year and they put it in the axillary. I forget the details but it had to do with space, ease of getting the third lead fit, and I know he made an effort to keep the scar where it'd be covered when wearing a tank. I wasn't given any different instructions for the new one than the old ones. About the only exercises I don't do are pull ups, things where you'd hang from a bar. And I skip that from advice I've heard here, not from anything my dr told me (he gave no restrictions after 2 months). I'm seeing him next week and plan to ask because I want to learn to do a pull up :o)

Reason Why

by LJRytel - 2011-05-04 09:05:24

In answer to why I had the implantation. I was diagnosed with "Exercise Induced 2nd degree Mobitz 1 & 2 heart block". I'm only 43 years old and run, lift weights and had done Aikido for 14 years. Just trying to decide what type of exercise to eliminate or reduce.

ask

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-04 12:05:55

Only your dr can tell you for sure what's right/safe for you, but most of us with block get back to full activity with almost no limitations. The only thing most drs agree on is we shouldn't do full contact sports- anything that would risk a hard direct hit to the pm. It won't hurt the pm (it's a hunk of titanium!), but there's a very tiny chance of damaging leads. Mostly, it'll hurt like crazy. There are companies that make shirts with padded inserts to protect the pm if it's an issue with your Aikido. Anything else should be fine as long as you feel good and your dr clears you.

I have a 3rd degree block, congenital. I got my first pm at 27, I'm 44 now. I hike, ski, rollerblade, play tennis. A few months ago I decided I was bored with the weight machines and elliptical at the gym so I started a boot camp 5 days a week- we lift very heavy (or go light and do a gazillion reps, depends on the day), run, row, jump rope, run obstacle courses, race each other... it's never the same twice but you always leave having worked out head to toe! Today was dead lifts, shoulder presses, box jumps and push ups. I do everything the rest of them do except pull ups. I do an alternative with bands over the bar, it gets the same motion but I'm not suspended from the bar.

It seems like a lot to take in and that there are a lot of risks and things to think about, but most of us with blocks get back to full activity, feel great, and never give it a thought after a while.

You know you're wired when...

You forecast electrical storms better than the weather network.

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