Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

replacement of pacemaker

Hi,
I see my cardiologist every January for a pacemaker check up.
In January 2009, I was advised that the battery had two years to run. Working on this basis, I figure I have around one year to go.
When do you think my cardiologist will actually do the replacement? Six months before? Three months?

It'd be great to have an idea of how long before the battery end of life they do the replacement.
thanks
Kate

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seat belts

I have heard about the leads dislodging so will pulling down
some (hard to pull) seat belts affect the leads, pulling on them too much?

ECB

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Pacemaker replacement complication


I recently had my pm replaced. First one lasted good 9 years. The doctor who did the replacement said that he was unable to unscrew one of the leads from the pm and had to cut it off and insert a new lead. The second lead was unscrewed easily. Now I have an extra lead which is serving no purpose. He said he decided not to take the lead out because it is complicated. Has any one experienced any problems while unscrewing the leads? The doctor, who is doing these procedure has experience of...

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Three missing leads

Hi to everbody- I'm a new member! My problem is that of May 2009 I'm on my 2nd pacemaker within a year and I have 3 leads that are not working and my cardiologist wants to remove them. From my research I am fearful that this is a dangerous operation?? - (I have CHF & I am 71 yrs old.) I would like to know if there is anyone that has had 3 leads removed and what the results were? I am going to the Mayo Clinic in Jan. & I hope they can remove them up there. I believe that they have most likely ha...

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lead moved and output turned up

Hi,

I had my dual chamber pacemaker inserted 23rd December 2008 for heart block, I have felt great until a few weeks ago when I started getting symptoms of heart failure again. Following really bad palpitations on Saturday I called my liaison nurse and he organised a pacemaker check today. The technician discovered a problem, and organised an x-ray. The upshot was that lead had moved- (I’m not sure which one though) as I’m sure the technician said one thing and consultant another. I’...

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New Pacemaker

Hi, I had a pacemaker (Guidant) placed in 06-09 with Medtronic upper and lower lead wires. Right away I felt worse then before. The reason for the pacemaker is that I was unable to maintain a resting hr over 45 and was unable to get any higher then 95 during a stress test. Basically I felt terrible most of the time. After the pacemaker was in I felt like I was having a heart attack everytime I walked to the kitchen. My resting hr was set at 54. After complaining for 5 weeks my dr finally c...

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new pacemaker needed

Hello all,

I am new to this group and I'm so happy to have this connection with other pacemaker recipients. I received a pacemaker when I was ten years old due to complete congenital heart block. It has lasted me to date ( I am now 31 years old) and just had a beautiful baby girl 2 months ago. My last checkup indicated that I will need a new pacer in less than a year. My current one is a Guidant with one guidant lead and one Medtronic lead. I know they don't make the pacers to l...

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Complications with 3rd Lead wire

My husband's heart issue & recent diagnosis was a Bundle Branch Block, with the top two of the electrical connections of the heart not functioning properly or at all.

BTW -- we are out of insurance network, because of his emergency issue a few weeks ago -- & the fact this latest episode occurred on the weekend.

I will be happy to supply further info as needed.

My husband had emergency surgery & placement of a St. Jude’s Medical Pacemaker about 10 days ago. We...

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What Happens

The bottom of my heart is almost entirely dependant on my pacemaker. When it has to be replaced, what keeps my heart pumping oxygen to my brain while they are changing everything?
Helen

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lead removal

I have an atrial lead that is bad( impedance has gone up significantly) and has to be replaced.. Has anyone else had this procedure done? My lead is 13 years old and I am expecting the doc will use a laser to remove it . Any insights about the removal procedure? Thanks

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Impedance

Frank, Smitty, or Inga... can you explain impedance to me? I know it goes up at the end of battery life but don't understand what it is. My report today says 6-9 months battery life left but the tech said it'll be more like 2-4 mos since the impedance jumped from 2 to 6 this check. I go back in Jan and plan to ask to have it replaced at that time (Jan is not as busy as March and April, lol)

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As I recall.........

or more aptly as medtronics recalls - my recalled lead snapped last week end - ( the only symptom being the defibrillator firing harder than normal, but thankfully just once. Monday (when the pacer interogation revealed the condition of the lead) I found myself going to the hospital instead of to work. 15 hours later I was home - with a new unit and lead. The medtronics rep says they will pay $2000 towards the replacement cost - Has any one out there dealt with medtronics to recoup costs...

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12 yr. old child needs replacements

MY NAME IS CHERYL, I HAVE A LITTLE BOY RYAN WHO IS 12, HE HAS HAD A PACEMAKER SINCE 15 MONTHS DUE TO TWO DIFFERENT HEART DEFECTS WHEN HE WAS BORN, HE GOT A 3 LEAD PACER AT 7 YR. OLD, AND NOW ON NOV. 11 WE GO TO DUKE HOSPITAL TO GET A BATTERY AND A LEAD CHANGE, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING A PACER WITH A DEFIBULATOR IN HIM, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO, ABOUT THIS KIND OF PACEMAKER ?

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Hi

I having my pacemaker battery changed in december i wanted to know if ur asleep when it happens and how long it takes and do u feel anything ....

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loose lead

i have loose lead what do they do to repair?? I go back to dr in the morning thanks

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Lead Replacement

Hi everyone
I'm new to this site, but have had a Medtronic Versa DR pacemaker since November of 2007. The other day I noticed that my HR was around 40bpm while my threshold is in the 60's. I went to the ER and they said that my one lead wasn't capturing. They switched my leads from bipolar pacing to unipolar pacing, and that has gotten my heart rate back up. Every three hours though I feel a jolt around my generator, I guess it's called pocket simulation. My chest is a little sore also,...

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how long will they last

new to this site HI I have an appt with the medtronic people next week, for checkup just sitting around wondering how long my battery will last , what are the warning signs. pacemaker/defibrillator

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New to the site

Hi! I am new to the site. I just found you guys today! :) I am a 33 year old mother of 3 with a pacemaker. I had it implanted in 2001 and have not been feeling well at all. I called the doctor and went in for a PM check today and I am about 6 weeks into VVI mode and have about 40 days left on this battery. I am nervous about having a replacement done. I would love any advice, stories, ect. on how it works, and the true recovery time (not the one the doctor always seems to give :) ).
Like I...

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Pacemaker Surgery Left Lead Read

I am almost 81 years old. I recently had pacemaker surgery that took longer than expected. The doctor said it usually takes 1-3 times to get a good read on the left ventricle, but it took him 25 times. He said it was very tricky to get a read. Is this because of my age?

I feel nauseous all over. I can't find anything on the internet to explain to me what it really means when it takes 25 times to get a read. I'm assuming it does not mean anything, but I would like to put my mind to res...

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Battery life

When I was 2 years old i was diagnosed with long QT syndrom. Soon after I had a Minix 8341m implanted. The battery on it lasted a total of 13 years! My doctor told me that the battery would have lasted longer, but I had out grown the leads.

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You know you're wired when...

Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.