Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Pacemaker leads

I don't need a pacemaker change for another 4years yet but have had a box change already but no lead extraction so I have had my pacemaker 10 years already has anyone else have there leads a long time and had any extractions I heard its a complicated surgery and is the recovery time the same as the original implant I am just curios?

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Can they endure ?

What are the leads made of , can they endure using the left arm as before having the PM ?

they say 6 weeks is prohibited to lift the left arm up, I can't do it after six month, I see my PM going with the muscle up when I try , I'm afraid i might broke the leads, my left arm is used only for daily activities

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Broken leads

I have had my ICD for 3 years, in 2011 a fracture in one of the leads was found when I pressed my hands together during a routine check-up, i was assured that particular lead was not an absolute necessity for my contrition and it was deactivated and to be replaced when my battery ran down, last Thursday while rough housing with my dogs my defib went off, the hospital called the next morning and told me I needed to come in fast because I have another fractured lead and they ned to disable the I...

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Riata 1581/60 Lead

I was implanted in 2004. Multiple shocks from multiple devices. Have come to know true fear for the first time in life.

Experiencing a ragged, raspy feeling above my heart when I lean, stretch, reach with my left arm. Sensation has been manifest for 6-8 months and is getting progressively worse. The ICD is apparently not the issue but instead, the integrity of the lead is the problem.

Information from DOCS and VA is sparse at best. When I requested more info, I was tol...

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Pacemaker and Lead Extraction

Hi everyone.....this is my first post.
I am scheduled Apr 29 for pacemaker and Leads extraction and am very anxious about the procedure and possible complications
My pacer was first installed in 1998 for sinus node dysfunction (no heart attack) so my wires are 15 years old. My Cardio changed the pacer in June /12 and a bacteria entered my system at that time....only recently cultured in my blood. This bacteria lives on the wires so i have been told the only way to get rid of it is ext...

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battery change and leads

Hi
I am posted for a battery change coming Monday, it is my first after eight years, in which my Biotronik device has functioned without any problems- a marvelous piece of work I believe.
Some of you guys have explained the procedure to me and I am quite relaxed, but there are still two questions which bother me and I would like answered if possible:
I believe that the leads will not have be changed with the new device, can it be that this was established during the last check u...

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one lead not working

I have a Boston Scientific pacer, its 3 years old, early on one of the leads wasn't transmitting properly - after a recent pacer check my doctor ordered a Holter test 48 hours and heart is pausing 8 seconds....since I do have a CPAP machine I have make sure I'm using it for second Holter test, didn't wear first test. My question is has anyone heard of apnea causing heart to pause for 8 seconds repeatedly ? I exercise a lot.....running, martial arts and strength training should I worry about...

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New Pacemaker

I'm having my old St Jude Pacemaker replaced next monday, it's 9 years old, with a new Wi-fi version with a modem under the bed to record everything and send it to the doctors office, anyone else had this sort of PM..

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No knowledge new member

I am not sure where to start. My name is Kreth, I am now 66 years old. First stent in 2003, second one 2005 or 2006? I had My little buddy, Nascar, [implanted in 2008] who keeps my heart doing what it is supposed to, due to electrical system deciding not to work. As you are reading you wil note I know nothing about "Nascar". You might say I am stupid as a stick with lack of knowledge. They rarely tell me anything other than Nascar is working fine. A year ago they told me the battery had 9 months...

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buzzing

I have been having some buzzing noise coming from my pacemaker, Is that normal?

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Battery life

I was just reading how the next iphone may have wireless battery charging. Imagine us having wireless recharging for our pacemakers and no need to replace. Wishful thinking or maybe just around the corner? Is there an app for that ; )

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Do leads rust?

When I went back to have my bandages removed after getting my new PM I was seen by a nurse practitioner instead of my doctor. She made a remark about my leads not being rusty; I didn't get an opportunity to ask her about it. Have any of you heard about leads rusting and, if so, is it a rare event rather than to be expected at some point?

Thanks a lot.

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Fainted during PM regular checkup

Hi Frnds,

My father has been implanted with PM in July 2011.He has been going to Dr for regular checkups during at 6 months interval.During his recent visit he got fainted in-fact badly shocked when Dr was doing the checkup or trying to do the tuning.After the shock Dr is saying that there is some issue with the lead and due to which he has set the Threshhold value to 5V which is very high and suggest my father to have a surgery so that he can either replace the lead or see what has b...

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Battery life??

Hi -- My St. Jude Zephyr 5826 will be four years old this coming August. When it was implanted I was told that the average life was about eight years. I go for a pacer check every six months and it seems that at each visit the probable longevity decreases. Today I was told that I pace about 87% of the time and that my pacer should last another year or two? I get absolutely no reasonable response from the tech when I ask if this is normal and why the estimated life keeps decreasing. Does anyone h...

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Epicardial implant

They have discovered that I have a severe block in my superior vena cava from my pacer leads right at the entry to my heart. The Doctors feel we need to extract the leads and place a stent. They are thinking it might be best to then implant the pacemaker using the epicardial approach to avoid any more damage to my venous system. I am fully dependent on my pacer.

Curious if anyone else has had a similar block and also curious what other peoples experiences are with an epicardial impla...

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Dropped into EOL mode : (

Well I knew my battery was getting low, (last interrogation five months ago said seven months minnimum remaining), but Monday evening it dropped into EOL mode.

I knew something was up immediately so Tuesday went to see pacing tech who confirmed my suspicions. Interestingly it also showed a lead warning in December, maybe the reason for shorter than expected battery life?

Now I feel rubbish, whenever my PM is interrogated I feel horrible, I think this is due to it being VVI...

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Surgery for new dual-lead PM shortly

At my last interrogation, I found out my AV synchrony had increased from 53% to 63%. The technician couldn't tell me why for sure, but thought it might have to do with cutting back on my medications for fibromyalgia (which has been improving).

I just got a call to let me know that they will be booking me for surgery shortly to get a new PM with 2 leads. Currently I just have a ventricular lead, which is standard here in BC, Canada. Hence, the AV dissynchrony.

Can AV sy...

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Very upset ....again

Hello all,
I had my pm 27Nov and was delighted with it until 28Dec when the follow up showed the ventricle lead was not seated. Had a lead revision 4Feb and just gone for this follow up and it still is wrong. Now I am to have a active fixation lead sooner rather than later.
I have been so careful with movement - the pm was stitched in and the Dr gave me a bit of extra slack so I don't know what has happened. The nurse said it might be my anatomy causing the problem - does anyone have...

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Battery replacement/pregnant

Hi everyone,
So I timed my pregnancy poorly and I have to go in to have my pacemaker replaced 2 days from now... I'm 15 weeks pregnant. I preregistered today and just feeling a bit nervous. I'm 31, had my PM for 13 years with one battery replacement. This is my second. I have complete HB. The obstetrician says the anesthesia will not hurt the baby and all should be fine. My nerves went away a bit when I thought about all the little children who get very invasive surgeries every day... If t...

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Adding the third lead

I am scheduled for an AV node ablation with the addition of the third lead and a change of the PM. The insurance has refused to pay for the third lead. They don't have a problem with all the surgery, new PM etc. Their thinking is I must be in congestive heart failure before they will sanction the third lead. I have seen a few studies that indicate the addition of the second ventricular lead gives the patient more strength and prevents heart failure down the road. Can anyone make a suggestion as...

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.