Lead changing

My 17 year old son received a pacemaker when he was 13. I inquired about having the new MRI compatable pacemaker. His DR informed me that it was not a good idea, as the leads are not compatable with the new MRI pacemaker. She informed me the chances of a real problem changing the leads are great and would not advise any changes. I believe she quoted a 5% chance of a serious issue or death. I just don't understand!!! My son is 17 and I basically took from her explanation that he'll have the same leads for his entire life! Is that true? I'm just very upset that he cannot have the new pacemaker. I don't understand why Medtronics can't make it to where it will work with the leads that are already in place. I just pray to God that my son will NEVER need an MRI in his life.

10 Comments

Yup.

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-22 07:03:19

The big problem is the leads attach to the heart...so while the pacemakers can be swapped out every few years, (depends on when you need it, can be anywhere from 5-10 years) the leads stay in place.

New pacers today (from what I have read) may be safely used with an MRI - but the problem is MOST people with pacers have the standard leads already implanted which are NOT MRI safe.

The MRI safe leads are very new - only released in the U.S the last year or so. My EP says she will, but she is cautious to give me those leads (I haven't had my surgery yet) because they are so new and haven't been tested for long term use.

As she put it.. no PM or lead set is "MRI SAFE" so to speak, they are advertized as "MRI compatible" but that does not mean there will not be risk to have one done...

I would not suggest a lead extraction unless he absolutely needs them out.

I'm actually having a huge MRI discussion on a post on this site myself. I'm not sure if I should go with an mri "compatible" pacer and leads or a standard one with a home monitoring system. Apparently I can't have both :(



:)

by C. Wynn - 2012-03-22 07:03:57

Hello Lizzie53 ,
My name is Charlie Wynn I am a 34 year old female I have had my pacemaker since I was 15 . And I am on my 3rd one last one implanted on 11/30/2006 , and at my last visit which showed that I have roughly 5 years left on this one , however my leads are not compatiable
with the newer pacemakers due to the fact they are already 20 years old . With that being said I do beleave that your son will probly have to have his leads changed at some point in his life but for me later is deffenitly better than sooner. Hope everything works out for your family, have a great day too:) Charlie Wynn ....

Current MRI limitations

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-22 08:03:09

Lizzie53,

I know you are probably very upset and worried about this news. I know I commented earlier, but I wanted to share this article with you:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/02/16/new-wave-of-mri-safe-pacemakers-set-to-ship-to-hospitals/


Even the current "MRI safe" pacemakers arent perfect...there are still many limitations.

As angrysparrow says, there are tons of changes and by the time your some is 30, who knows what wondering options will be available :)


If he ever needs anyone to talk to - this is a GREAT site. There is also a pacemaker club facebook page if thats more his speed :)

Lead Extraction

by donr - 2012-03-22 11:03:00

Lizzie: It's done all the time! No, it is NOT a trivial procedure, so they don't do it just because you want an MRI safe PM. Below I've inserted a comment I made to someone else about lead extraction. It has a link to a very good paper explaining the pluses & minuses & risks involved. I faced a potential lead extraction several yrs ago & had a long discussion w/my EP about it.

Leads extraction is not performed at every hosp, either. It takes a very special person to become adept at it & every EP does not want to do it.

Your cardio quoting 5% mortality rate is pessimistic. It is more like 1% for a competent, well experienced EP - which is a far cry from 5%.

Wish you the best in your quest for info on this.

Begin Cut & Paste:

Want to read a scholarly work on this?
Comment posted by donr on 2012-03-10 09:50.
Last night, after reading at least three posts on lead extraction questions, I went to Google & found this PDF format document by the Heart Rhythm Society. All sorts of interesting info in it. Like what are the conditions for removing old leads. Criteria for a surgeon to be adequately trained & experienced in lead extraction. Mortality rates for the procedure (under 1% for an "Experienced" surgeon). It's a 45 page document, well written & truly interesting - IF you are a PM Host facing a potential lead extraction. recommendations on what type institution you should go to for the procedure.

http://www.hrsonline.org/news/media/press-releases/upload/leadextraction_cieds.pdf

End Cut & Paste

Don


new MRI compatible pacemaker

by lizdonaldson - 2012-03-23 09:03:14

I have a new MRI compatible pacemaker, implanted 6 weeks ago and I was told I will be able to get a phone monitoring device. Is this incorrect?

Also, I have had some symptoms similar to before the pacemaker. Is this normal?

lizdonaldson

by ReneeV2.0 - 2012-03-23 09:03:52

which model do you have? I was told medtronic has one that you send info through (I assume the telephone?) but its only every 3 months.

What I was hoping for and referring to was as system that sent info every night (called merlin) which is used by St Judes.

Thank you all

by lizzie53 - 2012-03-23 12:03:04

What a warming, welcoming group! Thanks so much for all your input, knowledge and guidance with articles to read, etc. I appreciate it very much and will be busy tomorrow reading all the information!!! I'll keep you all posted in my quest for knowledge and the best for my son's future!!!

Lizzie53

lead replacement

by manaman - 2012-03-24 11:03:26

l am having issues with a broken lead at present (been broken since Dec 7,2012). at present lead is still broken and pacing was changed from one pacing method to another (which didn't work because of conduction issues)
Anyway, because my pacer has been there so long it was decided not to try to REMOVE old leads ut instead put new leads in same artery (if enough room) or go to opposite side of chest to put new leads. Nothing happened yet (still in limbo as I have 10 months left on current pacer and I am not pacer dependent). Go back next month for more test. I'm 69 and have had pacers for the past 30 years!
Good luck!
Cecil

Agelbert

by agelbert - 2012-03-24 11:03:28

Hello everyone. I just ran into this article about a very nice invention that is on the horizon so we will never have to deal with battery changes again.


http://medgadget.com/2012/03/university-of-michigan-aerospace-engineers-develop-heart-powered-pacemaker.html

From the article:
"The new device can generate up to 10 microwatts of power, which is about eight times the amount a typical pacemaker needs to operate."

My 18 year old had an MRI compatible device fitted

by blmom - 2013-04-13 07:04:07

Hi All

my son had his PM fitted 2 days ago here in N Ireland - he has had an MRI compatible device fitted, this is his first PM he is doing good but a bit stiff rather than sore on his left shoulder. We are pleased he had the MRI device fitted but hope he never has to have an MRI!!!

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