Infection

I have a friend in another country with a pacemaker. I also have a pacer, have had one for 16 years. His care does not seem to be what we get here in the states.
He is having some infection problems and I was wondering if any one else has had anything similar. Below is from his e-mail.

My chest where the pacemaker is, red, with streaks running out from it like the spokes on a wheel. Also in the center of the red area is a black spot about size of 5c coin

I had a doctor over on sunday and she said i need to get to the hospital stat for an IV antibiotics as I have a bad infection. I told her I would call the surgeon on Monday, which I did. I bumped into Dr ZZZ there the cardiologist, and showed him the PM area, and he frowned and said thats not good, and would see me at same time I am in the surgeons examination

They both took a minute, and said its grim, and I will have to have another op, but first I need to go to an internist close by, and perhaps some strong new wonder A/B will cure it

The internist was nice and straight away when he looked at it, said in all probability will need a new pacemaker. He said the A/B's will cure the infection in me but they cant kill the bugs in the pacemaker, so it will have to be replaced.
Any comments
Thanks Mike


3 Comments

Not alone

by ScottishTom - 2008-04-23 03:04:38

I have had several infections, generally the are around the PM goes hard and my neck on the left side swells up like a baloon. This has happened at least 8 times in the last couple of years but has always settled down with antiniotics. I know of another lady in Dumfries, her son asked me about infections as his mother repeatedly has infections.

I also has a large spot that appeared above the scar with a yellow head at the same time, thankfully the have settled down recently, but I still get the odd night where the neck swells up.

some people

by jessie - 2008-04-23 08:04:16

i think this is a rare occurence but it is a possibility of happening anywhere in the world really. thank god they can remove it and start fresh and treat the infection. good luck to you friend. your pacemaker friend jess

A real risk

by ElectricFrank - 2008-04-23 09:04:45

The most serious thing about pacer infections is that the leads from the infected area enter a major vein. This can create a route for a blood infection that can ruin your whole day. It sure isn't anything to mess with.

frank

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