lead extraction

hello everyone.  I have had a pacer for 16 years now, and after having symptoms of shortness of breath, lightheadedness and being to tired to do anything, they finally figured out that my leads are shot.  i am sceduled for a 2 lead extraction, a third lead to be placed in my left ventricle along with a replacement and an upgrade of the pacer itself.  gotta say, very anxious about this because it will be under general anesthesia, and they use lasers to get the leads out.  anyone else have this surgery?  if so, how long was the recovery?

2 Comments

lead removal

by DMJ - 2018-08-08 21:55:18

I had my leads taken out due to being infected with sarcoidosis which is the cause of my heart condition.  I was lucky to have it done at Brigham and Women's in Boston. Dr. Laurence M. Epstein did my surgery.  On the hospital web site he has a video of the procedure you can watch.  Go to hospital site and search pace maker lead removal.

I had no problems and got a new pacemaker and have had no other episodes since.

lead extraction

by heartache - 2018-08-09 07:06:49

thank you!  i too have sarcoidosis, but they could never confirm that it was in my heart, even after a cardiac biopsy.  I thought of going to the B&W, but i live in the Worcester area so am using UMass. 

thanks for the upbeat news!

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.