4 leads

At my procedure 4 days ago, (Medtronic Consulta replaced by a Medtronic Viva XT CRT-D) the EP spoke of it was a tight fit into one of my veins. Evidently, he doubled up one lead to create a 4-lead device. I won't see him for a couple weeks or so to get a complete rundown of what he did -------- anyone here have a similar 4-lead PM/CRT-D? An aftereffect: I walked the ICU's halls for about 45 min a few hours post procedure. I noticed my left hand turning blue, which kinda freaked the ICU nurse. This phenomenon has continued, but less noticeable, each day. I contacted the EP yesterday---- he stated the leads take up a large amount of space in my veins, but new veins will "grow" and the blue tinge should abate slowly. Anyone else experience a like phenomenon with a 4-lead device?

3 Comments

More info needed

by donr - 2015-01-31 07:01:30

Dave: Is the term "Quad" mentioned in the description of your new ICD? The Viva CRT-D XT comes in TWO versions. One is a THREE lead device (The one you named here) & the other is a "4 Lead " device (Called the Quad Viva XT) - except that the 3rd & 4th leads are very thin & combined by Medtronic into a single lead.

In the basic XT the third lead snakes its way to the apex of the LEFT Ventricle via a hole (Called a sinus) from the RIGHT Atria across the outside of the heart & down the heart.

In the Quad version, the special combined 3rd & 4th leads go in place of the 3rd lead in the basic Viva XT, but because of the way the two conductors inside the lead function, it can do many magical things that the basic XT cannot do.

Essentially the same question was asked in the past week & I described the configuration of the leads in detail for the poster.

Donr

4 leads

by Dave H - 2015-01-31 08:01:46

Donr:
I'm looking at the "demo" Viva device -- it has 3 available lead points ---- similar to the Consulta. I'll have to quiz my EP when I meet with him to get ALL the facts.

You gave it to me...

by donr - 2015-02-01 02:02:29

..the add'l info I asked for.

I just discovered your post about ten down from here that told me you replaced a Consulta CRT-P W a Viva CRT-D.

BIG difference between -D & a -P. The -P only has three wires: RA P&S; RV P&S; LV P&S. The -D has a Defib capability in the RV lead. Since you already had a lead for RVP&S, they did NOT want to remove that lead to replace it w/ a RVP,S&Defib, so they just added a RV Defib, bringing you up to a total of 4 leads.
R= Right
L= Left
A= Atria
V=Ventrical
P=Pace
S=Sense

Hope that clears it all up.

Donr

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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