Question about pacemaker placement

Hi, I'm new to the pacemaker club. I'm 26 and I have a biotronik evia dr-t. This is my second pacemaker, I've had problems with the placement and the leads moving around. Apparently I had a reaction to the material of the sutures that were used to anchor it down? , the pacemaker itself is extremely uncomfortable and moves into my armpit when i attempt to lift my arm. I basically have no range of motion in that arm, i cant lift it higher than chest level. every time i lean over, it feels almost like its going to burst out of my chest. im a very thin person and my ep said i should decide where i want it moved. My procedure is scheduled for march 20. Any suggestions?? I would really appreciate it so much :) thanks!!

3 Comments

Subpectoral placement

by golden_snitch - 2013-03-09 03:03:18

Hi Mandy!

I have mine between the pectoralis major muscle, and the pectoralis minor on the left side, so between the two chest muscles. Hurts a little more after surgery, but in my opinion it's worth it. You cannot see the unit any longer, and you can barely feel it (I'm rather skinny, too). Also, my cardio said it's better protected there when I exercise. I have had it just under the skin before, but when I compare those two placements, I really prefer the subpectoral one. However, I'd not do a subpectoral placement with local anaesthesia only, I always had a general. The surgeon told me that it's difficult to numb the whole site when you go through a muscle to place a pacemaker under it. He said I might not be in pain with a local anaesthesia, but it could get a little "uncomfortable". So, I agree to have the general anaesthesia instead, and that was perfect.

Best wishes
Inga

placement

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-09 08:03:48

Mine is under the breast. Like Inga, my recovery was a little longer than most but now I don't even feel it.

Considering the complications you've had keeping it in place and reacting to the sutures, you might want to talk to a plastic surgeon before surgery, maybe even have the plastic surgeon assist? That's what I did, my ep's suggestion. He hadn't done a deep placement before so he wanted another opinion. Ep's concern themselves with the heart, getting the leads where they're supposed to be. A plastic surgeon, esp one that does more reconstructive than cosmetic work, will know how best to make it comfortable.

Implant Comfort

by donb - 2013-03-09 10:03:14

Hi Mandy, As Inga & Tracey posted favoring deeper implant of your pacemaker, I have found in my 21 years that my last 2 implants have been so much more comfortable. As I'm a skinny person & having my 1st three implants just under my skin were a constant reminder with pain. Any slight bump would be painfull. Now from my experience I've learned I can't take on the world doing heavy upper body bull work as I've had erosion twice, calling for removal & replacement revision.

In my case having the impants just under skin was more uncomfortable but so much more sensitive which would slow me down with upper body activity. Now with deeper implants I just have to limit my activities to a normal 81 year old person, tough to do when you still feel like you're under 60 years of age. Thanks to my 5 pacemakers !!!!!

DonB

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.