FRACTURED LEAD

My husband has a Boston Incepta ICD which he has had for just over 2 years.Yesterday he had usual device check and was told one of the leads has totally broke.His cardiologist wants to do echo and see results before he decides if he is going to renew it as he is not symptomatic.It is not the defib or pacing lead-is it ok just to leave it until symptoms get worse.They are surprised it has broken - he did fall getting out of bath about 8 weeks ago could this have caused it?Any input appreciated.Tks

3 Comments

leads

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-18 02:09:09

Did it totally break or is it just not working? Lots of things can cause them to stop working- insulation can become ruptured, scar tissue can build so the connection isn't good, they can age but he's nowhere close to that (15 years is average). Falling is unlikely to do any damage after two years. If he doesn't use that lead and he's not having any symptoms, they can simply turn it off, then when the battery needs replaced they can decide whether or not to replace it. That's what I would do in his shoes, leave well enough alone

FRACTURED LEAD

by Sylvia1 - 2015-09-19 05:09:49

It is a total break.If after having echo they decide he does not need it replaced would they leave old wire in and never remove it and just put new one in if and when needed.He just worried about not having a lead working and how it affects him.tks

no effect

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-19 11:09:29

It shouldn't have any effect. I have one non-working lead that is capped off, as do most members here who have been pace for a long time. If it reaches a point where we need the space (like, when one of the other leads goes bad), there is a procedure available to remove them.

You know you're wired when...

You’re officially battery-operated.

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