Surgery soon...???

Hi, all! Just happened upon this forum and joined. I had no idea it existed. Received my first pacer at 17. Now, at 42, I am ready for #5 and new leads. My existing leads are roughly 20 years old and have some noise. Very nervous every about the lead extraction. Anyone been there, done that?

3 Comments

Going there

by doublehorn48 - 2015-04-23 10:04:28

Lead extraction shouldn't be taken lightly. It's done with a laser and bad things can happen. My second leads are becoming frayed and I face this procedure. I don't understand why they don't just put two new leads in for you, and just leave your old ones where they are. You need to find someone that has done a lot of these procedures. The Cleveland Clinic has some excellent people. I live in Texas, but that might be the place I go. Good luck.

Done that

by Shahin - 2015-04-24 03:04:30

But I asked for Anesthetic, so I was fast a sleep, and very glad for that, I had to do that surgery twice , because the first time they didnt have the right equipment to extract the leads. They used 4,5 hours the first time, the second time they used roughly 4 hours. So if you can,ask for Anesthesia ., gives you a little peace of mind :-) Good luck with the operation.

extraction

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-24 08:04:02

Lead extraction has come a long way in the last few years and the risks are considerably lower than they used to be. The laser sheaths they use have improved and the number of experienced surgeons has increased. My best suggestion is make sure your surgeon does at least 100 per year. If he does less than that, ask for a referral to someone else.

kurlybean, just one lead or both have noise? Mine are about as old as yours. One had problems but the other is ok so they added a new one and I was able to put off extraction. If both are bad, or you already have one capped off lead in there (sounds like you do?), then you probably don't have a choice.

doublehom, they can usually fit 3 leads in a vein, sometimes 4. If more don't fit, they have to extract. Some drs prefer to extract and start fresh regardless because the old ones are easier to get out now than they will be down the road when all of them have to come out.

If you do a search for extraction, we have quite a few members who have had this and come out of it without complications.

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