Most Recent Messages in Batteries & Leads

Repair/Replace Leads

Got my PM in March 2019. Tech detected problem with top lead signal in June 2020. Surgery in August found one lead dangling (disconnected) and second lead almost disconnected. Generator was O.K. Surgeon replaced one lead and reconnected both leads in new locations. My energy level has improved noticeably. Surgeon claimed two attach screws may not have been torqued adequately/correctly on original procedure. Seems to be some 'trick' to correctly attach these leads.

Read More...

Battery life?

I got my first CRT pacemaker in august 2008. I got my second CRT pacemaker in october 2014.

Yesterday I went for pacemaker check up which is 1x a year and the pm tech says I have 3 yrs 7 months left. So maybe I get to 10 yrs on it. Says I am a frugal user.

I got flu virus early 2008 damage loss of 33% function of heart. I had robotic mitral repair 2001. I had flu shot but it did not work. Now with Corona I am supposed to avoid hospital but my cardiologist still wants an Echo done,...

Read More...

second lead ?

HI all, 

I had my first pacemaker implanted in 2007 and had ithe battery exchanged in 2017. Unfornately my cardiologist was not able  to remove the lead to the atrium from the old pacemaker. All types of people helped with different tools, but they gave up after 2.5 hours, cut the lead off the old pacemaker and capped it. So now I only have a lead in my ventricle. Since that time I have recurrent VT of a few seconds each. I'm wondering if is related to only havin...

Read More...

Leaving detached lead in?

Hi. I Have had my pacemaker for three years now. I have two leads, one has detached and the doctor has determined that it is too risky to remove it. But what are the risks to leaving it inside and unattached to anything? I'm a little nervous about this. He has not talked about replacing it although my pulse has lowered again. Because that would be too much hardware inside. Can leaving it cause any problems?

Read More...

Leads

Hello everyone, i had my pacemaker implemented around 10 months ago, i was doing fine until a week ago, and then i suddenly started feeling changes in my body, i feel discomfort  around my pacemaker and feel something is pinching from inside hardly that creates pain for several minutes, this pinching happens 3 4 time in 24 hours, plz guide me if you also had have the problem or should i be concerned about.

Thnk you

Read More...

Lead Extraction Completed

Hello all

I wanted to report that I had a successful Ventricle lead extraction yesterday. Done by the famous Bruce Wilkoff at Cleveland Clinic. He said it was pretty straightforward and there were no problems. The pain after is a little more than what I felt during intitial implant. I am 51 years old and didn't want to Jam a additional lead in my vein. While there is risk with this procedure, there is also risk with leaving broken leads in place for life. Thankfully my atr...

Read More...

Leads

Hi

I have two heavy bulldogs that I would normally walk, they often pull me in two directions when they see other dogs or people they want to greet.

I recently had my top lead turned off due to lots of noise issues, don't really know what this means yet but will find out on 30th, my leads are 23years old. 

I am now afraid that I won't feel confidant enough to ever walk them again, I worry the remaining lead could be damaged what's your opinion? 

&...

Read More...

lead into av node instead of left ventricle?

had a visit with device specialist for 3 month check up after Mobitz 2 heart block and implantation of metronic  CRT-P.  she explained that my first lead goes to the R ventricle and the second goes either just above or into av node (where problem was producing heart failure) rather than into left ventricle which was the norm before 3 years ago.  it is not, then, a biventricular pacemaker as the web describes it.  there is a third lead for back up.  

the bat...

Read More...

Tendril leads

I've had a lead replacement after less than 8 years, Tendril 1888 TC. St Jude /Abbott pm. There are a few others named as well, I had the 1888 Tc

i found several studies that conclude they problems early, after 5 years .

ill try and attach them. 
it's a very difficult procedure to have the leads removed and replaced, Abbott is not being helpful or forthcoming on this subject.

Fyi
 

 

Read More...

Leads

Who has the oldest leads?

My top lead has been turned off as it had lots of noise on it, apparently I never really needed it,  I have been told it was normally practice to put two leads in 23 years ago.

Just wondering if my pacing ventricle lead will last let's say another 20 years?

Just want to know who has the oldest

Read More...

Lead Removal

I am scheduled for a lead removal due to malfunction.

headed to the Cleveland Clinic and have Dr Wilkoff perform the procedure. I have anxiety associated with this and looking for anyone who has been through this to provide some advice.

 

Read More...

Leads

I am two and a half weeks post op and, after being really careful, absentmindedly got up off my chair and stretched both arms over my head. Should I be worried about detaching a lead? Would I feel it?

Thanks in advance,

Jerry

Read More...

Lead defective after 9 years - Dr. wants to replace and leave old one in ?

I am now 81.  Had original pacemaker for 8 years and it was replaced in January, 2020.  Started having lightheadedness and "pocket stimulation", i.e., intermittent visible throbbing of the pacemaker site a few days ago and ended up in ER.  Lead x-ray shows kink in one of the 2 dual chamber leads, which was also there on previous x-rays.  For various reasons Dr. believes solution is to replace the kinked lead (which pacemaker tests show is the problem) and leave t...

Read More...

Following on from atrium lead

Has anyone else had there atrium lead turned off and only paced in the ventricule 

May I ask how they felt afterwards did they have any adverse symptoms. 

My PM was put in for low heart rate 23 years ago and top lead has given up the gost.

Would like to hear from you if this has happened to u

Read More...

Atrium lead

Had my 4th box change yesterday on my dual PM, when I was in the recovery room I passed out 5 times, the Dr came out of theater to see me, the pacing team said I have. Noise on my Atrium lead ans is causing my ventricle to become confused so it won't pace, this is serious as I am 100 dependant. The Dr has turned off the atrium lead and they have reprogrammed my PM in DDD mode (I don't understand what this is) Dr says I should be OK with just the ventricular lead as pm was fitted due t...

Read More...

Symptoms with lead noise and PM end of battery?

Hi,

im scheduled for a lead extraction and new device on Aug 3rd, but I've been feeling crummy since around March and it just seems to be getting worse. My diagnosis is vasovagal syncope  and am on my second PM and leads are over 15 years. Lately it hurts in the left side of my chest to lift anything and randomly thorough out the day. Sometimes it's a heavy feeling and sometimes it's a sharper pain. I saw an EP in May and he said my atrial lead is basically just deterio...

Read More...

Symptoms with PM Battery End of Life

Hello, I requested an interrogation recently because I recalled that my battery was predicted to need replacing this summer.  Interrogation revealed that it was nearing safety mode and needs replacing.  Am having symptoms that are not listed when I google this situation:  sudden onset of a whole lot of yawning and extreme fatigue. No presycope or syncope episodes.  My cardiologist is supposed to be monitoring me but he is in self-imposed quarantine hiding. &...

Read More...

Battery use

Hi there, I’ve had a pacemaker since 2009 and was told on December 2018 check that I had about 18months left on the battery. I was due a check in May 2020 which was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. I started a couple of weeks ago to feel similar symptoms to those that I had experienced before having the implant. The clinic agreed to check my pacemaker yesterday and told me I had a year left in it and a further 3 months if it was to completely run out. She did some changes on my de...

Read More...

100% Pacing

I had a PM check this week and was told that the upper chamber is being paced at 100% and the lower at 40%.  Battery life is approximately 2 years but was told that it may have to be replaced in 6 months or so.  Should I be concerned about the life of the battery since I have no "wiggle room" if it dies.   Next check is in 6 months.

Read More...

Lead Increased OHMs

I had a device check today and the device technician said one of my leads had increased from 400 ohms to slightly over 1000 in the past year. She called and talked to the Medtronic Rep who told her to not worry unless it reached over 2000. It is the Lead to my lower chamber and it only paces .2% of the time. The Lead to my Upper Chamber paces around 8% of the time and must have been ok. She didn’t say anything about it. She acted like I shouldn’t be concerned, but I am. Has anyone...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

Just because you have a device doesn't mean you are damaged goods and can't do anything worthwhile and have to lie down and die. In fact, you're better and stronger. You're bionic!