My own looped lead

Reading and responding to the message re looped lead led to a question of my own. My atrial lead was not secured to the wall of the ventrical. Cardio surgeon felt that there is more danger of damage to the heart wall. The lead was deliberately looped so that the point rests in the correct area. This did cause a problem as it moved and the voltage had to be increased for a period. At last check up it seemed it had moved back as voltage could be decreased again to .2.
Is this common practice as the 2nd opinion I got (moving over to him) said he also does not attatch the lead to the atrium wall as it is much thinner than the ventricular wall but loops the lead so that it rests in the correct area? - Very long sentence!

Thanks for all the patient info
Shirley

1 Comments

Strange

by ElectricFrank - 2012-05-26 02:05:48

I've never heard of such a thing. If the lead isn't attached to the heart wall there's no way it's going to be stable in your heart. The pacing voltage threshold varies over different areas of the heart wall and also is affected by whether it is in contact with the wall. This would make it nearly impossible to find a proper voltage setting. I would also be very concerned about a loose end of the lead flopping around in the heart. With an extra loop it could even find its way through a valve and into the wrong chamber.

I seriously wonder if this isn't just another of those wild stories docs tell patients.

frank

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