Leads Replacement

Hi all, I am writing for my Mother who received her pace maker on Thanksgiving day 2011. We went back in today and they said lower lead is out...ugghhhh. She is to have it done again on Tuesday 2/7. I am so scared about what will happen again!!! They perferated her heart last time (which they tell me is rare). Anyone had this? What should I expect for her ect...Also, on top of everything she has dementia so I have to really try to understand how things are for her....any help would be appreciated. Thank you

3 Comments

Big Eared Fan

by donr - 2012-02-03 09:02:48

Not much time before replacement. This could be a serious procedure, depending on how embedded the lead is in her vein. Are they talking about having to REMOVE the old lead? Those things eventually embed themselves in the wall of the vein & have to be cut out w/ a laser device. In the hands of an experienced surgeon - a piece of cake. In the hands of a neophyte, a dangerous procedure. Experienced means having done it about 100 times & doing it frequently; being comfortable w/ doing the procedure & seeking opportunities to do it.

Yes, a perforation is rare. I don't know if 3 months is time enough for the lead to embed. What does the surgeon say? I'd say your mom in on the borderline. Therefore, I'd want her to go into this w/ an experienced hand doing the job so they are prepared for the worst.

There are many folks here who have had roto-rooter removals done - hopefully one of them will chime in early this AM. I have faced the potential for having a lead removal, so have had opportunity to discuss w/ my EP. What I have told you is essentially what he told me - he is one of those experienced hands at the procedure.

The best to your Mom on this.

Don

How's your Mom...

by donr - 2012-02-10 05:02:25

...doing? It's beyond 2/7 & we've heard nothing from you.

Don

had it done

by serenity1219 - 2012-02-16 02:02:11

I recently had a lead extracted and replaced in October. It had perforated the lining of my heart and caused cardiac effusion and it was pacing incorrectly due to the lead being out of place. I was told it was a very risky procedure and had it done at the Medical College of Georgia by a man who's performed over 500 of these. I'm 36, have had the PM for 18 months, it was implanted during my 8th month of pregnancy with my third child.
Everything turned out ok, a bit more soreness than I had with the implantation.
Hope everything is well.
Autumn

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