Wireless pacemaker

micra

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-17 16:09:16

We've had a few members with them,not many. If you do a search for micra, it should come up. 

wireless pacemaker....

by 0o0 DC 0o0 - 2017-10-18 14:11:02

I had exactly the same questions a few weeks back! I am young (31) and was offered a wireless pacemaker for treatment of sinoatrial block so did a fair bit of research.

I too was concerned regarding what happens when the battery runs out of the wireless devices, especially considering my age and the possibility of needing several of these over my lifetime! The short answer that was given to me was “once the battery dies, we just put another one in”. There is a retrieval option for these devices but after 10-12 years in your heart it is expected that the device will become encapsulated and so I don’t know how achievable minimally invasive retrieval would be at that stage (but I am no EP!). There is a recent medical publication which reports successful retrieval of 3 of these devices in the short term (all were within 406 days of implant) but until sufficient time goes by I don’t think we will know how easy they are to remove/whether they ever need removal.

I can’t comment on the recovery as I had a duel chambered wired PM in the end but it was mentioned all along that the recovery period with the wireless devices was short and generally uncomplicated. As TraceyE says, do a search on here for ‘Micra’ and many of your questions will be answered.   

Wireless pacemaker

by Lauraann - 2017-10-18 15:45:37

Thanks to both of you for replying.

I'm 30 so that is the main worry that I could run out of room for more pacemakers if they can't be removed after 10-12 years. But then surely the cardiologist wouldn't have put me forward for this if he thought that could happen. He did say in 10 years time there's likely to be new and improved things out by then. I'm just hoping it makes a difference as I'm fed up off feeling so tired and run down all the time. I hope yours has been a success.

Will have a search on the Micra now and see what I can find out.

Thanks again

Wireless

by chrispcritter57 - 2019-06-14 19:32:07

Lauraann, I just began researching wireless pm. 

My issue is that I have many ‘abandoned’ leads in my body (think bowl of spaghetti 😂). Also my lead is cracked. They were installed around 2004, but I fell off a horse in 2008. The lead has been broken since. They have replaced the generator twice since the fall, but not the lead. My doc is known for lead removals, but he said I’m not a candidate for removal.

i suspect, at least I pray, this will not be my last pm. I agree with you regarding your skepticism on wireless. I truly don’t like the idea of abandoning the unit upon a second implant. I also am concerned about the unit being held on to the heart wall by a ‘fishing hook’. What if something goes wrong (and there are always risks) and the unit becomes dislodged? 

Additionally, in my personal situation, I am on Coumadin due to 2 mechanical valves. The phrase ‘what could possibly go wrong’ keeps rolling around my head.

In my humble opinion, I think the technology is still too new. I’ve been a guinea pig most of my life. I am reluctant to be one now.