Displaced Lead

Has anyone left a displaced lead (it is apparently caught on to a place in my heart where is is not supposed to be, not free floating) in for an extended period of time like months or years? The Atrial lead is shut off for now and I am having minor symptoms, but nothing too uncomfortable. I am wondering if this can be a long term solution or if another surgery is inevitable. Thanks always for the feedback and support. Shanna

4 Comments

displaced lead

by patriciapeter - 2007-03-20 07:03:41

Hi Shanna, I had a PM for 9 yrs., and when they went in to replace the generator they found that one of the leads was misplaced. So what they did was put a new lead in, they left the misplaced one in, and I've been fine. I guess I don't know if my original lead was misplaced for all 9 yrs or if it happened sometime along the way. I think you probably will have to have another surgery to fix the displaced lead, sorry about that. I hope that helps a little with your question, take care and let us know how you are. Pat

displaced lead

by buglady - 2007-03-21 07:03:38

My leads keep getting displaced. The orginal pacer was put in 95. For a year I was telling everyone it wasn't working, I still was having symptoms of both fast and slow rates. At my year check, they discovered the lead had moved, went in and found that the lead was imbedded in the heart, couldn't remove it at the time,so they put another lead in. That one moved as well, a month later, put another one in, ended up with an infection at the site. take it out, treat the infection for a month, put in another one. Moved across country, still symptomatic, found they had put in the wrong type of pacer for my condition, went and had it changed again, and had a dual lead put in. One of the leads moved again, so they replaced it again, and of course another infection, it moved again and they finally screwed the lead into the ventricle, now it can't move. The original lead that was put in in 1995 is still in there and has never caused any problem, even with all the infections. They are coming up with newer methods all the time, so someday in the future they might have a way of removing it.

Thank you

by swilson10 - 2007-03-21 10:03:15

Thank you both for your helpful feedback. I will definately stay in touch throughout the process.

displaced lead

by toffee - 2007-03-23 08:03:22

Hi i have a displaced lead that happened within hours of my surgery , that was five years ago and although its a pain because i could really do with it im fine , im sat in hospital now waiting to get a new pacer on tuesday, but that is only because mine is broken due to a car accident . hopefully they will be able to re attach your wire at some point .Hannah

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