New style unit

I have a regular style pacer for rate drop. I had in put in 2009. I only use it nighly when my heart pauses.  I was told last year my battery is good for maybe 4 years. I was told new units are the size of a bullet inserted via the artery in the leg, dropped inside the heart. I assume the old one is removed at that time.   Anyone had a new style unit? How has it worked for you? I live in Canada so my procedure is totally no cost as was the first one. If you had one, what was the cost?

3 Comments

new technology

by Tracey_E - 2020-07-21 21:13:54

They are talking about a micra and it's the size of a grain of rice, much smaller than a bullet. Depending on the age and condition of your leads, removing the old ones may or may not be an easy surgery. And you may or may not be eligible for the micra. Many of us are not though who knows where technology will be in 4 years. If we pace a lot, if we use both leads, then we are not eligible right now. And they have to remove what's there first, which may or may not be a good choice if your current leads are in good shape. Me, I would looooooove to have a micra but as long as my current leads work, I wouldn't even discuss it. I would not have an extraction on perfectly good working leads, YMMV.

Micra

by AgentX86 - 2020-07-21 22:14:44

I'd have to agree with Tracy.  If your system is working now, I can't see ripping it out and inserting a Micra.  There isn't any benefit to it.

The Micra is 2.59 x 6.7 mm. or about .1" x 1/4". Pretty small.  It has to fit through the femoral vein and two sets of heart valves.

Micro

by Brantfordmuscle - 2020-07-21 22:28:57

my understanding is that they will replace it with the new type. I would gladly have the old large buldge removed.  

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