Lead Impedance and electric shock every 3 hours

Hi All,
This is my first message on behalf of my son. Medtronic PM Sensia model (epicardial) was implanted this year in Aug. It has 2 leads but only atrial is pacing at the moment. Ventricular lead was connected initially but it started to use more battery than expected and apparently it should not have been pacing at all for the moment, so they switched off the pacing on this one.
My son is experiencing 3 electric shock exactly every 3 hours each day under diaphragm region. It is quiet uncomfortable and some shocks are very strong and create muscle pain afterwards. We have found info that this is related to lead impedance check on PM and showed this to medical staff as nobody was taking us seriously until then. After PM interrogation cardiac technician advised us that this function is switched off. But according to Medtronic website this function cannot be switched off on Sensia model. So the shocks persist and doctors say as it is not causing any pain it is not a big deal and may go away after healing period finished.
I asked if this can be related to damaged lead but hospital staff saying that leads are function normally according to their checks. Does anyone here experienced the same issue and what advice you got from your doctors or if anything was done about it? We have been told that one of the leads is near phrenic nerve and this is causing shocks. I am very scared that lead/s are damaged in some way.

Thank you in advance,
Petit.

4 Comments

Diaphragm pacing

by lspencer02 - 2013-09-16 07:09:23

My son has the Medtronic Advisa DR MRI SureScan PM, this type will allow him to have MRI's down the road if needed. The lead going to the ventricular is the lead that he needs to pace so turning the lead down lower is not an option. The doctor says to give it time and told me son to try to pick up a few pounds, he is very thin. I don't want to put him through surgery if this will correct itself but I also don't want him to wait and have to put up with the diaphragm pacing if he having it repositioned is the only solution.

Lead Impedance and electric shock every 3 hours

by Petit - 2013-09-16 10:09:18

Thank you, Grateful Heart for your response.
Shocks happen during Lead Impedance check on the PM as this function set up to happen every 3 hours. The lead is placed near phrenic nerve which is being shocked. I am waiting on Doctors to come back with appointment day.
Kind Regards.

Lead impedance

by Grateful Heart - 2013-09-16 12:09:40

I don't have a Medtronic, I have a Boston Scientific ICD, but I did have lead impedance with my RV lead. I felt some pain under my left breast. It became sharp enough to be alarmed and I went to the ER, was admitted and numerous tests revealed nothing wrong so I was sent home after 2 days. I still felt it off and on but did not know if this was part of my "new normal" so I stopped complaining about it.

Fast forward 3 months and now the device interrogation revealed a problem with the right ventricle lead (which is located under the left breast.....who knew?) and exactly where I had been feeling it for the 3 months prior.

The point is, your son knows his body best and if it doesn't feel right you need to persist and seek answers in a kind way. Don't give up, he should not have to feel so uncomfortable. Then if the Doctors and Nurses do not listen to you, a 2nd opinion may be in order.

In my case, because of the impedance, the voltage was increased which caused my diaphragm to be paced....VERY hard. I am paced 100% in the ventricles so I needed to have a lead revision. Your son may need one, but it is an easier procedure than the initial device implant....it'll be ok if that is what is needed and he will feel better afterward.

3 shocks exactly every 3 hours, I don't understand unless it occurs during some sort of programmed testing, not sure.

The lead itself may not be damaged, but may not be exactly where it needs to be in order to pace properly or may be stimulating the diaphragm or phrenic nerve.

You can always call Medtronic and ask about that particular function for his model. I have found BS to be very helpful when I call.

I hope you get some answers and your son gets some relief, but again.....don't give up!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Grateful Heart

lspencer02

by Grateful Heart - 2013-09-17 10:09:08

I am not a Doctor by any means but I don't see how gaining a few pounds will help your son's pacing if the lead has moved and needs to be repositioned. I think I would have another conversation with the Doctor to be sure.

I hope your son feels better.

Grateful Heart

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.