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

2 Comments

removal

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-11 09:11:36

I am in the same situation with my ventricular lead. Are you sure it has to be replaced? Mine has been impeded for 7 or 8 years now. It works, it just kills the battery quickly. It's gotten worse in the last year so I will have it replaced next time I get a new battery. So, impeded doesn't always mean not working.

We are going to try to put my new lead with the old leads rather than do a removal, most of us can fit 3 or sometimes 4 before they have to extract. We'll only extract as a last resort. If you do a search of the past posts, a number of our members here have had extractions and have talked about it at length. Good luck!

My EP

by turboz24 - 2009-11-11 10:11:52

Essentially my EP says he removes any leads that arn't in use, unless he feels the patient will not survive, ie an 85 year old in CHF he would probably not remove the lead, would attempt to reimplant.

I think he does close to 100 extractions a year, though.

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.