Fractured Lead

I just received a phone call today from my Pacemaker Clinic that I need to see my cardiologist for a fractured lead. I sent in my telephone check up yesterday. There seems to be no urgency because I won't be seeing the doctor for another month. Can anyone tell me if they have had a similar experience? Is it something that is repaired or replaced at leisure? I was told recently that I was pacemaker dependent. I don't feel any different or notice anything . . .Is this the norm? Anyone who has experienced this, I would love to hear from you. Thanks. A.

5 Comments

to answer fractured lead

by jdavis - 2011-05-18 08:05:48

I was told today that a fractured lead should be repaired. I would think that it would have some urgency. When a wire is fractured or frayed you loose signal strength, therefore you are not getting the full signal to your heart from your pacemaker. You also would get interference and your pacemaker computer would record NOISE and might read that noise as something else other than just noise. I dont have a fractured or frayed lead but I do have atrial noise which in turn is causing my pacemaker to record atrial fib episodes that are not really there. GET IT FIXED is my opinion.

Same here

by MonkeyWarrior88 - 2011-05-18 09:05:24

I have had a fractured lead , as well as a fractured patch. Due to my congenital heart defect, I have to have patches on my heart as well as leads into it. When I was told it was fractured, the doctors told me to keep a magnet in my pocket just in case it went off for no reason. I only had to do that for two days, then had it repaired.

Me too

by Xylia - 2011-05-18 09:05:25

Yes, I have had a fractured lead. My experience was different from yours, but perhaps it will be helpful to you.

I spent two years periodically feeling dizzy following a battery replacement. No one believed anything was wrong. This was before the age of PM computer monitoring, and I could not perform on cue during an EKG. I got a new cardiologist who suspected I had a fractured lead and scheduled me for surgery in six weeks. At that time I was not considered PM-dependent.

Two weeks later my best friend badgered me into calling the doctor because I was so pale and weak and still getting dizzy. They sent me to the ER but again could not find anything wrong. They decided to keep me overnight but did not seem too happy about it. During the night I arrested twice while on the monitor. It scared the crap out of everybody. They decided I was PM-dependent. And yes, I did have a fractured lead.

In your shoes, I would see the doctor ASAP. Good luck!

I agree

by ElectricFrank - 2011-05-19 01:05:27

The fracture is usually in the outer sheath, but it can continue to progress to where the inner conductor fails as well. In that case the lead is totally useless. The effect of a failure depends on which lead it is and your condition.

If it were me I would have it replaced as soon as possible.

frank

depends

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-19 07:05:40

It depends where it is. Sometimes they have to replace right away, sometimes they can work around it. I'm fully dependent and the lead I depend on was fractured for over 5 years before we replaced it. I was told there are several layers of insulation. It had broken through the outside layer so they were able to program around it and keep it working until the battery went and we could replace both at once. The battery died a lot faster, picture running the air conditioner while the window is open. If they aren't rushing you in, it's either not the lead you use most or it's minor at this point and it's still pacing.

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