Best/Good hospital for ICD implant

hi, I had my ICD implanted in 2003 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Its almost time to be replaced. But I would like to find a hospital thats good at replacing leads if need be along with the ICD implantation procedure. Just in case. Taking the leads out scares me. Anyone recommend a good, better, best hospital anywhere in the US? Thanks.

3 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-23 01:10:59

There's no reason to think you would need new leads. They always test them when they change out the device, but unless they've told you there is a problem, there's no reason to expect one and you aren't going to suddenly wake up with new leads. An extraction is a specialized procedure and would be planned, not done spur of the moment.

That said, if I had a serious heart problem and was going to travel, it would be to Mayo or Cleveland Clinic. I've had 4 battery replacements now and never even considered a second opinion much less traveling. I needed a new lead this last time but I knew it well in advance, discussed the options with my surgeon, and we added the new one without extracting what was there.

Thanks TraceyE

by jazzy1986 - 2010-10-23 02:10:50

Good words of encouragement TaceyE. Planning is definitely required. Extraction of the leads requires laser equipment and good hands by the surgeon. The leads being in there for 7 years are stuck into the surrounding tissues. The laser is used to burn the tissues around it to let it free. Surgeons with good, steady hands can do a fine job. But the laser can also burn a hole into your heart if not aimed properly. Thats why an open heart surgeon would be standing by just in case. I heard all this, are these true? Paranoia setting in for me as time gets closer. Why can't the battery last forever?

yes and no

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-23 05:10:30

Yes those basic facts are true, but it's not as dire as all that! Extractions have come a long way in the last few years. The sheaths they use have gotten better, the number of experienced surgeons has gone way up, the leads have gotten thinner and more flexible so it's easier to add a new one rather than extract what's there. The odds of having a complication requiring open heart surgery as a result of an extraction are very small, less than 3% I believe. We've had quite a few members here who have had extractions and only one had a serious complication. She's fine now, btw. Everyone else sailed through it.

And the odds of you needing an extraction in the next 15-20 yrs is pretty small too. Leads can easily last through 3-4 battery changes. They usually have an idea there is a problem with the leads when they do your regular checks. That's how I knew I needed a new lead, I was told about the problem several years before we had to address it. They can do a better, more thorough check of the leads when they change out the device, but it would be unusual to find a problem when there's been no indication of a problem during the regular checks. I've been an active member here for several years now and can't think of one instance of someone going in for a simple battery change and coming home with a new lead much less an extraction. This is said with a smile... you are totally overthinking this


Tracey

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