Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

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Lead change

Has any one had a lead extraction if so how did it go and how is recovery time is it the same as getting the pacemaker change ?

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Lead Cover Disinegrating

I've had my pacemaker for about 7 years now, and (thankfully!) I've haven't had any real problems. I have swallowing syncope (I faint/get heart block when I eat) but the pacemaker has fixed most of the symptoms. Anyways, lately I have been feeling sharp, stabbing pains that last for a couple of seconds where my pacemaker is (in my abdomen). The pain doesn't make me cry but it does cause me to catch my breath and kind of gasp. I've told my doctors and they did a test and it didn't show anything b...

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Sorin Defibulator

After about 14 months with a ELA/Sorin Pacemaker/Defib. it was necessary that the device be replaced because the lead from the defib. fried while still in my chest. This malfunction resulted in a trip via ambulance to the emergency room and then surgery. Has anyone else had this problem with the above company? The only information I can find is on the Riata lead by St. Jude's. However, a rep for the new devices says that the above has been recalled in Canada and Europe and that the USA is not fa...

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battery relacement worries

Hi members,
I am an old hand with a Biotronic DDR PM now 8 full years intact without any problems throughou the entire period.
I was told at my periodical chech up yesterday that the battery has reached ERI and that I should consider replacement within a few weeks.
As this is the first time that I am yo undergo this procedure I am bit concerned as to what I am facing up to. Will this need hospitalization, how long will the exchange take and how is it done
are there any compli...

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A battery free pacemaker

may be a possibility in the not too distant future it seems - how long is a piece of string? - but tests on pigs and sheep look promising.

Have a look at this:

http://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21572918-medical-technology-new-invention-lets-pacemakers-scavenge-energy-power

Just think - no more ops to replace batteries - nice.

Incidentally this article claims that there are over 400,000 pacemakers installed annually in the US. Wonder a...

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lead extraction

Where can I get details of Uk specialist centres. I think I will need an extraction and want an expert to do it.

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Question about Battery Life

I've had my pm now for about 2.5 yrs. Have now been using it 100% of the time for the last year. I was told originally it would last between 5 and 10 yrs. At my last appt they said the battery is at 2.99 and they change it at 2.81. My question is that its been at 2.99 since I got it. Wouldn't it typically decrease over a couple years? They've already told me that this particular model isn't good at predicting battery life when it gets close to running out of juice, just wondering if its normal t...

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replacemnt

I have had my pacemaker in for 10 years now and my nurse said its showing that it will last for another 2 years before a replacement has anybody else had 1 in that long before getting it replaced?

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CRT pacemaker replacement ??

Hi
I got my CRT pacemaker in august 2008 tomorrow I see my pm technician last time he told me checkups will be every 3 months the decline in battery life is not always linear in the last year.Tomorrow may be I hear different and since the next pm will be first time I get a replacament what can I expect? They told me is about 1 hour for implanting the new pacemaker , we only get local anesthesia.

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displaced lead &persistent left superior vena cava

During surgery to install my 3 lead biventricular pacemaker, the doctor learned that I had persistent left superiors vena cava. There were a few complications and now, after just 3 weeks, we've learned that a lead has become displaced. The EP says he will likely have to go in and redo that lead but because of the left superior vena cava, he may have to do it in a different and more invasive manner. I was shocked and didn't ask many questions yet, as I just found out. Has anyone with this conditi...

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Replacement

I have just been told that I need a battery replacement Some people have the same one for years and years. Why has mine run out already?(implanted 2009)
I am a senior, is using weights at my chair exercises dangerous?

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afraid of using my left arm

Hi

Could the leads endure so much as I can use my left arm with no worries, because when i tried to lift up my arm the all pm moved with my muscle up and down ,it makes me worries that i could damage my leads...

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battery

I received my pacemaker 6 years ago. When it was inserted I was told to expect a 5-7 years before the battery would need to be changed. I am feeling good but I find myself aware more of the pacing . I will see my M.D. next month but am wondering if I should go sooner. I would be interested in feedback from members about the symptoms they experienced when the battery is running low. Would it be a sudden drop in energy or gradual?
I know that we are all very individual but I would still...

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Thank you

Thanks Smitty for your information and support re: battery replacement.
Bonnie Fox

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How do you know

I have only had my pacemaker for 3weeks now, and right after i got it was in hospital next day wire at went into heart and they had to go in and re-do surg, NOW how can I tell if my wires come out, will I know?? Just learning to live with this and Does the knot in you chest eventually go down and then can you actually sleep on both sides.

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Successful change

Got my new St. Jude Medical PM2210 yesterday and all went well. It took a total of five and a half hours from admission to discharge. What a great group of people at Maine Medical Center. I had a great deal of anxiety when I went in but they put me at ease right from the start. I got 9 years and 7 months service from my old St. Jude. I hope I get as much time from this new one. A small amount of discomfort right now, I think it will be gone by tomorrow. Good luck to all of you out there.

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My lead was not taking out.

Hello, My name is Alan i'm now 19 and I had my second pacemaker surgery last year.. The doctors did not want to take a lead out of my veins because it was close to my heart. I am not really worried about this because I feel good and can anyone answer me what are the risk for my next surgery in five to six years from now? I had my first surgery in 2006 I was 12 when I had my first surgery.

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Lead from the previous Pacemaker still in

Hi
I would really appreciate if anybody can light any knowledge here.

My dad had a surgery this morning for replacement of his pacemaker. the doctor said it would take around 45 minutes or so but it took more than 2 and half hour. Once the operation was done the doctor said they had an issue removing the old pacemaker due to some lead was stuck inside and some fibrosis didnot catch all the terms but they said they did not want to force it and remove the lead since it can really...

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Lead revision

Just home after my lead revision. It seems that both of my leads may have moved but the atrial lead moved to a better position and is giving better readings than when it was put in (after a real struggle). So he has given it a bit more slack and repositioned the lower lead so hopefully if I behave myself, I should be sorted for a good few years. I have SSS with palpitations most days - question is there any point trying to suppress the palpitations or should I just stop the beta blocker and put...

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replacement

Hi, due for replacement feeling feeling pretty scared, any tips

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You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

To tell you the truth I never even give it a second thought. While growing up it never stopped me from doing anything and to this day my girlfriend or my kids need to remind me that I have one!