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Pacemaker lead

Hi I have a 36 year old lead, that will probably be replaced next year.Its a long pin lead, they dont make them anymore, what are my options.It is a ventricular lead.Thankyou.

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EF and adding a 3rd lead

Hi all!  I may be reaching the point where I need  another lead to bring my EF up.  My 1998 PM has been pretty much problem free but when they did an echo before my last generator change my EF went from 55-60 to 45. A recent echo showed 42.  Anyone get the new device with 3 leads and did it help with your EF?  My main symptoms are SOB, low stamina, hiking uphill a real slog.  Thanks, as always!

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Possible Infection After Heart Surgery

Hey guys, 

I had my pacemaker leads and old pacemaker removed this past Monday, and a new lead less pacemaker implanted. I started having bleeding at my groin site yesterday, 5 days post op. My entire groin area is still really swollen and bruised. Is this normal after? I've been sleeping close to 18- 20 hours a day. Which is not my norm. I'm a pretty boring 8 hours a night girl. Started running a low grade fever last night. Should I be worried or reach back out t...

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Complications due to Pericarditis, are there others who have had Pericarditis?

My story, January 23, 2024 I was standing in my kitchen, when without any prior warning, I collapased and fell on the floor with my eyes open but unresponsive. An ambulance arrived within 3 minutes and I was taken to North York General where heart rate was 30 beats per minutes. ECG showed a complete heart block. I was diagnosed with Syncope, complete heart block, Bradycardic. They installed an emergency pacemaker and over the next 12 hours it took 4 adjustments, before I was st...

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any tests can be done before lead revision?

If your EP suspects you may have a lead fracture, did your EP give you any test before doing lead revision or replacement , such as chest xray or echo or Fluoroscopy?  Or just simply based on the interrogation report alert?

 

I want to know if there are any tests available to evaluate the urgency to fix the lead. 

 

Thanks

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Therafoot massager

Is the Therafoot foot massager safe to use with my Pacemaker/Defribrilator ? 
 

Thanks 

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SIC (Sensed Impedance Changer) counter > 300

I finally found the reason why the doctor thought my father's pacemaker may have lead issue with 300+ short V-V interval.

There is a A SIC count >300: The threshold value used to identify potential lead failures. Here is what I got what I asked Meta AI:

The accuracy of the SIC (Sensed Impedance Change) counter in Medtronic pacemakers is generally high, but may vary depending on factors like:

1. Device model and software version

2. Lead design and positioning

...

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Pneumothorax

Has anyone ever had a pneumothorax when they got their pacemaker?

Wednesday, while implanting his pacemaker, the needle punctured his lung.  He has been in the Critical Care Unit since Wednesday.  This morning, they removed the  air tube.  By 2:00, his lung was partially collapsed again.  They reinserted an air tube and say he has to remain in CCU at least another two days.  In the meantime, his Afib has returned.  Hasn't had Afib since his ab...

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Pulling

Is is OK to pull up shorts?

I was told no pulling or pushing

No lifting arm over head and

Nothing over 5 lbs

For 6 to 8 weeks

 

I am new to all this

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Diet Matters - Metabolic Health, Cholesterol, and Statins

Those that have been here awhile may recall Gemita started a discussion in March this year about the usefulness and necessity of treating high Cholesterol with Statin drugs.

    Statins
    https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/44328/statins

Today I ran across this recent study result suggesting that Metabolic health is perhaps of more concern than actual Cholesterol numbers when it comes to cardiovascular and heart health...

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Long Time Out Door Road Cyclist Now an Indoor Spin Cyclist

76yo with Cardiac Ablation in April '23 for Afib, now resolved post abalation. PM placment in July '23 secondary to SSS and worsening 2nd Degree AVB. I have a Boston Scietific L331, Accolade MRI. Current Parameter Settings: DDR, Lower rate 40, Mode Switch 170, Tracking Rate 135, Sensor Rate 135, Sensed AV 80, Paced AV 80, RightRate minute ventilation sensor on. These are setting the Boston Scientifc rep, a cyclist himself, tuned up the PM over 3 visits post pl...

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hurricane Helene

Just wanted to let those who know me from this site, that i did not have any storm damage. Live south of Tampa, Fl , not on the coast.

  In the yard the usual leaves and tips of small branches.  Hope others in the path of that storm are safe.

new to pace

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Risks - Infection

When people talk about the risks for PM lead procedure, one of the common risks  is the infection. I would like to know is the infection is skin infection or heart muscle infection or both. 

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Out of breath

It's been 2 1/2 weeks and I am still out of breath.

When does it get better?

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PM Heat

MY pm was installed 45 days ago.  For the first five weeks the site of the pm implant was warm to the touch.  I used a contact baby thermometer and the pm side of the chest at the implant side was 3 degrees hotter than a similar spot on the other side of the chest.  The Medtronics techs and the doctor's PA all said that this was an anomaly and checked the site for infection.  There was no infection.  A week later the temp is not as high as before but there is a no...

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Confused after implant

Hi all, I had a St Jude Assurity DR MRI implant 3 weeks ago. It's an active fitting. I had an early stage heart block with bradycardia before that and I did a lot of endurance training when younger. I also had paroxysmal AF over the last year before fitting. First two weeks were fine and the PM is set at 60. I am not aware of any AF episodes. Then the base rate would switch to 80bpm mostly overnight. I have very disturbed or light sleep when it does this. When I phoned the cardiac day uni...

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Battery Change after 14 years

After 14 years, my pacer is finally out of juice, officially running on "low power mode" and waiting to schedule surgery ASAP. Dual chamber, I am 100% dependant on this baby!

I was told my battwries would last 8-10 years. I'm at 14+ so Im happy.  I was 26 upon first surgery,  it's been so long, I've forgotten a lot of the initial struggles, pains, fears, anxiety.

My question, how much pain, tenderness, limited movement, etc will I have aft...

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Soreness

First, I wanted to say how great I think this group is and very informative. It's been about 1 month and some change (2 months on the 1st of Oct). There is no redness or swelling but the left side around the site is extremely sore including my shoulder. Just wondering if I should call the nurse. After reading, many say they are healed and starting to move around a bit more. I don't know if if the bra strap irritating it or not. I put thick gauze under the strap for cushion but it...

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Brain Fog / Sleepy

I experienced dramatically increased brain fog and sleepiness immediately after my pacemaker was implanted.  It's now been a month and although it's slightly better, I still feel significantly more drained and constantly drowsy compared to before the procedure.  My brain feels cloudy almost all the time, the opposite of what I expected.  
 

I'm 69 in good health, an active lifestyle, a calm, care-free personality and no other health co...

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How to judge a EP

I need to seek second opinion for my father pending lead revision procedure.In the short meeting time,  I would like to know how to judge the doctor is experienced or not. By number of years of practice, or by number of cases he/she has done? In the website of https://health.usnews.com/, there is a section Areas of Expertise. Is this accurate? Since making one appointment takes usually takes one month, I want to be fully prepared. Any suggestions are welco...

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You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

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