Biventricular Lead moved

Hi! I'm
Just about 8 weeks post of from implantation of BiVentricular
CRT device. I went for my 2nd follow up and 1st optimization appointment and received bad news. My LV lead migrated so they turned off the pacemaker. I'll have surgery again to either remove it all or have them fix lead.

I had zero improvement. But the issue is we don't know when the lead moved. It was working a week post op. My dr. said that for a case like mine I should see improvement within two weeks of surgery. But I've never had any improvement at all. So either it just didn't help me and then the lead moved & stopped working at some point or it could've helped me but it moved after that first week so we just don't know. I know I have to make a decision as to whether I'd like to have them fix the lead and try again or if I want them to just remove it. My family wants me to just have them remove it because they can't guarantee me a lead won't move again and they don't know for sure if it will help improve my symptoms. They were clear before the initial surgery that it wasn't a complete fix but they were hoping I would get some quality back. If I decide to remove it then I'll never know if it would have actually helped. If I opt to have lead placement corrected and I have no change in my symptoms or the lead moved again, then I would end up having another surgery to remove it. Any surgery has risks and I have a higher risk for infection with each surgery. I also have to wait to
have the surgery until my shoulder is better so I'll be getting therapy. They think I have frozen shoulder from not lifting my arm for 6 weeks as instructed. I have much pain and loss of strength and motion. I return to cardiologist in April and will know more regarding surgery.

4 Comments

You've gone this far

by Grateful Heart - 2016-03-20 07:03:06


The device is already in place. Sometimes leads can shift early on due to a few issues. I also needed a lead revision about 5 years ago. The revision procedure is much faster than the whole device implantation so that's a plus.

There are no guarantees in life. I know I am stating the obvious. Your family wants it out because it is foreign to them (and you) and they are scared for you. There are many of us here to say you will get past the lead revision and then you can give it a real chance to see if you have any improvement. Like you said, if you take it out now....you will never know.

The good news is you do not have an infection. Every surgery has that risk. You and your doctor will take all precautions to avoid that....as you already did with the first surgery.

You know so much more now going into this lead revision. The more you learn about your device and condition the more at ease you will become and then you can educate your family to set their minds at ease as well. Trust me....it works.

We are all different. I have a Bi-Vent CRT-D and I have seen great improvement. I have LBBB too, among a few other abbreviations. When I needed the lead revision, I didn't see it as having a choice...I just knew it had to be fixed, even though I wasn't happy about another surgery so soon.

I just wanted to give you my perspective...hoping to help a little. Of course the decision is yours.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. Feel free to ask questions or private message me if you like.

Grateful Heart

I agree

by voiceofangelz - 2016-03-20 10:03:08

Thank you for your response. I've been giving it prayerful consideration and I am going to take the chance to have it fixed. It's really the only option I have at the moment that can possibly bring me some relief. I will trust in the Lord and remember HE is in control. I can't give up now!!

Good to hear

by Grateful Heart - 2016-03-21 01:03:38


You'll be fine, I'll say a prayer for you too. Keep a good attitude and your sense of humor....they are both very valuable in recovery.

The physical therapy will help your arm/ shoulder get back to normal. There is a lot of slack in the leads and at 8 weeks, your other leads are fully embedded. Not to worry.

Grateful Heart

Been there...doing that

by Cabg Patch - 2016-03-22 04:03:34

I too had a bi-ventricular device (CRT-D) implanted and the third lead migrated. Unlike you, I enjoyed 10 days of improved quality before my LV lead decided to migrate to the next county without me. They relocated the same lead, and a month later I was in ER with an infection and all the pleasantries that entails.

I am now without an implant or associated leads. We are still waiting to ensure the pocket is fully healed and the infection cleared up. I have chosen to have another device put in when we get this resolved. Yes, I have some concerns, and yes this has been a real pain in the derriere which I wouldn't like to recreate, but I won't hesitate, quality of life is far too important to me. beats the alternative.

I am not in any way trying to discourage you. You need to decide what you are comfortable with and follow that path, but there's no guarantee. I wish you good luck whichever path you choose.

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