Leads

Has anyone ever had a lead come disconnected ?
Has anyone ever has a lead break in the artery ?
Has anyone ever experienced "electric tingling" near there PM ? Not being shocked , just a PM.
Thanks
MK

7 Comments

Yes, to all ...

by donr - 2015-01-13 02:01:28

....questions.

At about 4 yrs post implant had the tingling in vicinity of PM pocket. Tingling was due to PM working w/ a lead that was functioning as a mono-polar lead such that body electrolytes were return path for pacing current. Tingling was current entering the PM body from my body fluids.

Discovered that lead was broken inside vein through X-Ray.

Was replaced about two weeks after being diagnosed.

Donr

My Symptom

by Duke Heart Patient - 2015-01-13 03:01:12

I have started feeling some tingling also , not around the pacer but about 3" below it ... right above my bottom rib. It comes and goes , electric tingling feeling. Is it ok , safe ?

Same Here Duke Heart

by NiceNiecey - 2015-01-13 03:01:43

Hey, I get an electric tingly feeling right over my PM several times a day. It doesn't hurt. Actually, it feels good! (I'm a weirdo, I know.) It sort of feels like it's radiating and it's near the top of the PM. Let me know what this is. I've not mentioned it to my doctor because it doesn't bother me. Now Donr has me worried!!!!

Info

by Duke Heart Patient - 2015-01-13 04:01:06

What exactly does it feel like ? Do you sleep ? What kind of PM do you have ? How many leads ?

My tingling was....

by donr - 2015-01-13 05:01:49

... all around the case & when I felt it, was in sync w/ heart beat. Didn't hurt but tickled & was uncomfortable. I slept just fine Did not feel it all the time, but when I did feel it, it was easily located as right next to the case.

We pretty much confirmed it was the conduction from my body to the case by the EP turning the offending suspected lead on & off. It also was not felt all the time because I did not pace w/ that lead all the time, so it tended to be intermittent.

I have a dual chamber Medtronic. 2 leads.

Niecey, You had better mention to your EP - you have no idea what it may be. It took a long time to diagnose by 1 Cardio, his head nurse & me; followed by an EP, his nurse & the medtronic Rep; and 2 radiologists. Especially if it is intermittent it is a pill to confirm.

IF your PM is installed correctly, the leads connect to it at the top. If the outer conductor on the lead is severed all the way around, it means that the lead slips into the monopolar mode of operating & the PM case is the return path into the guts of the device.

Donr

STITCH

by missy - 2015-01-14 09:01:31

Does anyone get a feeling that I can only call a "stitch"? Happened to me two nights ago in the middle/bottom part of my ribcage. Happened about five times in one night and it was the only time it happened since I got my pm this past Sept.

Yep

by Tinkergirl - 2015-01-14 09:01:44

I had one of my leads detach twice, but luckily I was still in the hospital, so I ended up with 3 surgeries in 2 days. The first time it came detached was very scary!!! It actually sent me into convultions for 2 hours, my BP got to 228/158 and they were panicing because they could not bring it down. But hey the 3rd time was the charm and all is good.

As far as the tingling feeling, yep feel it a lot especially if I am just sitting still. I think it feels cool!!!

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