pacemaker replacement

I’m scheduled for a pacemaker replacement,July 6th.I was told I would have to have a temporary pacemaker put in,by way of leg arterary.I am wondering if this is the normal procedure,if so what is the reason? Please respond to me via PRIVATE MESSAGE.

6 Comments

not normal for me

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-01 01:07:19

I am completely dependent with a very low underlying rate and have not had that for any of my 4 replacements. They use pads for an external pm so it's ready if needed, same as Mike. The actual amount of time needed from the time they disconnect the first until they get the new one connected is minimal unless there are complications. I would ask why they don't want to use the external.

possible wire replacement

by ibee - 2012-07-01 05:07:44

I will have my battery replaced in 10 days and since I am 100% paced the surgeon explained that they may also have to replace the lead which means disconnecting the implanted pm. Just in case, I will have a temp pm put in via the leg artery. My husband calls it an auxiliary pm .........

ibee

leads

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-01 06:07:54

ibee, I got a new lead last time, also, and they still used only an external pm. I'd at least ask about it,if they can do the external it's one less thing to heal from.

temp. PM

by mike thurston - 2012-07-01 11:07:40

Had my PM/ICD replaced in January and was paced externally. Assume they had something similar to EKG patches sending a signal to pulse my heart as I am 100% PM dependent. Every case is different so ask your EP. The procedure was very fast and relatively easy. I was awake and found the whole thing interesting. Very impressed how the EP and his staff can do this in the same time it would take me to change the oil in my vehicle :0)

Not for me

by ElectricFrank - 2012-07-02 01:07:40


It is not always necessary to put in a temporary pacer through the thigh when doing a replacement.

I have my Medtronic replaced in Jan 2010 without such a procedure. The cardiologist removed the old pacemaker and laid it on my chest still pacing. Then the new pacer was programmed to a simple 85 bpm and laid next to the old one. The cardiologist then removed the ventricle lead from the old one and plugged it into the new one. I skipped a couple of beats, but that's no problem. The second lead was handled the same way only it wasn't active at the time.

Finally everything was cleaned up and the new one installed in the existing pocket. I was sent directly back to my room and went home in a couple of hours.

By the way I know all this because I was wide awake during the whole thing, I chose to have only some local pain killer in the pocket area. It all was a piece of cake.

The only reason I can think of for the external pacer is if they were planning on replacing a lead or something else more serious. Oh, one other reason. The surgeon and hospital make more $$$ doing it the hard way, and would need you over night.

frank

Hey Mike

by ElectricFrank - 2012-07-02 01:07:54

Glad to hear from someone else that stayed awake during the procedure. I agree it was fun.

I had my original implant done the same way. The anesthesiologist ws concerned I would freak out when they really got going so I agreed that he would be set up to give me a sedative if I asked for it. That's a good way to do it. I never came anywhere near wanting anything.

It was funny. I was reading a complex book on the brain when they came to get me. When I returned to my room I picked it up and went on reading.

best,
frank

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