Lead Extraction Question

Hopefully, with a new 1st pacemaker, I'm a long way from this, but since I'm 35 it's probably a good possibility. How does lead extraction happen? Does it require a "chest crack"?
AC

3 Comments

extraction

by candi51 - 2008-12-26 10:12:29

Hello-
Generally people don't have to have leads replaced unless there is a problem with the lead itself or a recall. My Dr said that the leads will last much longer than the device itself. I was concerned because I am 32 and anticipate several more device related procedures in the years to come.
Some Dr's/patients choose to leave old leads in and just cap them off and run new leads right next to them. Anyone I have known that had to have a lead removed went to a specialist (not the regular EP) and it was done in a similar procedure to the lead insertion but they use a laser to "cut" the old lead free. Lead removal has the potential to be very dangerous if not handled correctly. If I ever have to have one removed I will definitely seek a specialist. I have read info where the old "chest crack" was used in a lead extraction gone bad but not as a norm.

not the norm

by Tracey_E - 2008-12-27 07:12:23

It's very possible your leads will last a lifetime!
I'm on my 4th pm now, got my first in 1993 and am still on my first set of leads. I have one impeded lead right now, has been for about 5 years now, but it's still working so I chose to wait to get a new one. Just because something goes wrong with a lead doesn't mean it needs replaced immediately. For me, they just programmed around it. It's using up more battery power than it used to, but it's still working!

If one becomes dislodged or goes bad, they can add several more on top of the old ones without removing the them. Infection, recall, or having too many are the only reasons you'd need them extracted. And if it's a recall, odds are it would happen before you've had it too long and they can just pull it out. They only need to be extracted when they've been there longer.

As Candi said, going into the chest is only done if something goes wrong. They do it with laser through the vein. It's a fairly new procedure and will continue to be perfected. If you ever need it, odds are excellent it will be considerably less risky than it is today.


lead replacement

by tedlutz3 - 2008-12-27 12:12:17

hi,
i had pacemaker wired in feb.
a month later, i was back getting a new wire.
one lead "migrated" too far from the other and i wasn't getting the benefit of pacing. doc removed the first lead and inserted a new one (actually from a different company). he said the problem wasn't something he did or i did. "these just happen." the 2nd implant surgery was longer than the first. they opened up the same incision. (the first was healing nicely, too).

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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