Lead reposition surgery

I had my b-v pacemaker installed in November 2013. 5 weeks later the leads moved and so my Dr. had to do a reposition surgery 3 weeks ago. I just found out that for reasons they don't understand, the leads moved again. Is anyone aware of having the leads repositioned more that once? I have private insurance through my employer, will insurance continue to pay for multiple repositioning surgeries?

7 Comments

multiple repositions

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-10 03:03:03

If it happens more than once, have a discussion with your dr about trying another type of lead. They come in barb and screw type. Some heart muscle does better with one than the other. What has happened to you is rare, but not unheard of. We have had other members with the same problem.

jimm

by coppertop - 2014-03-10 09:03:46

May 2013 I had my Crt-D put in. right after the procedure while I was in x-ray the left lead pulled back and started pacing my diaphragm. the next day back in to reposition it.
three months later running on the treadmill it slipped back a little. and started to once again pace my diaphragm.
shortly after that I was shocked and blew the lv lead out. and moved the right lead back. so 1/2014 went in for lead revision and he screwed them place and used a different vein for the lv lead. and my insurance covered all of it.
I hope this was helpful. I wish you all the best with this.

Coppertop

Me too

by Suzie_G - 2014-03-11 04:03:14

I had 3 surgeries to reposition leads - now I have screw type and all seems well. I thought I might have dislodged the first one, but have no explanation for the second and the surgeon moved the atrial lead by a micro amount which caused diaphragmatic pacing the third time. Of course it's all free in the UK so one thing less to worry about.
Good luck !
Sue

thanks for the encouragement

by jimm - 2014-03-11 08:03:37

Thanks to all. After three weeks of wory my worst fears were realized when I felt the pacing in my shoulder and I realized the lead had moved again. The Pacemaker nurse stopped short of saying yesterday that because of the risk of infection they " can't keep opening you up" The mental stress of all this is as bad as the actual pain from the insertion wound. Thanks for your encouragement.

coppertop

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-11 08:03:55

It's highly unlikely you on the treadmill 3 months later dislodged a lead! If we are at fault, it's usually within the first few days. After that, the lead was not in tight to start with. Sometimes it's not placed well, sometimes our heart is shaped unusually so it's hard to get a good place, some heart muscle doesn't like barb leads so screws work better. But I really don't think it's anything you did!

infection

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-11 10:03:27

it's true that every surgery has an infection risk, but that doesn't mean you will end up with an infection! The numbers are still very very low. I'm sure the stress is taking its toll, you're ready to heal and move on. Have a chat with your dr. Talk about why the leads moved, discuss trying the other type next time. Get another opinion if it helps you feel better, rule out surgeon error. Also ask about the aegis antibacterial pocket, though I don't know if they mess with the pm itself when all they're doing is fixing a lead. They can put the pm itself in the pouch and it seriously reduces the chance of infection. I don't know if that helps with lead revision surgery, but it can't hurt to ask.

TraceyE

by coppertop - 2014-03-11 12:03:48

You are 100% right!!! me running on the treadmill did not cause the lead to move. I have large veins. this is what my EP said. I tend to beat myself up about running on the treadmill. knowing full well I had a problem keeping that LV lead in place. Hopefully, with it being screwed in now this is behind me. he was able to put in the vein he could not use the first and second time. looks like third time is the charm!!

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