Lead Extraction

Hi
I had my leads implanted with my 1st pacemaker in 1987. One lead broke around 2000 and they could not get it out so fitted a new lead and left the old one in. Now my other lead is breaking. It has been in place for 26 years and they are talking lasering it out - has anyone any experience of this. When I look online it just seems to tell you the medical proceedure for the process and I want to know the risks, how it feels and the what to expect in recovery - is it any different from a battery change?
Thanks
Caroline
England

3 Comments

Lisarose

by Yakkwak - 2013-04-29 08:04:22

Hi. I just responded to a post by Lisarose that you might want to glance at. Pericarditis occurs often after lead removal. This is NOT at all just as simple as a "battery change". To oversimplify, the longer you've had a lead in, the more difficult it to excise it without complication as scar tissue/tissue increasingly embeds the little sucker. Some people have absolutely no difficulty. However, my heart wasn't too pleased by the process. Please ask your surgeon/EP thoroughly about his/her experience. Please keep us posted, PM friend! Mega blessings!

search

by Tracey_E - 2013-04-29 10:04:18

We have had quite a few members go through this. If no one jumps in soon, put "extraction" in the search box and all sorts of discussions should come up.

pericarditis

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-01 09:05:56

It is a risk of lead removal but I wouldn't say it's common or occurs often.

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