Scar Tissue build up on leads

Hello, I have a dual chamber pacemaker for a type two av heartblock. It has been working well for the better part of 9 years. Until recently. Last year after one of my tracings the doctor called and said I needed to come in because one of the leads wasn't working correctly. To sum it up he found out that scar tissue had built up around the lead causing it not to work so he bypassed that lead. Fast forward to last week I did another tracing and was called in again. Sure enough my second lead had stopped working correcly because of more scar tissue development and fracturing. So now im down to half a functioning lead. Luckily my replacement surgery is in January and they will be replacing the pacemaker and will be doing a lead extraction. my question is what could have caused this scar tissue and why would it take 9 years for it to suddenly develop. And whats stopping these complications from happening after the next surgery? 

2 Comments

Second opinion

by ROBO Pop - 2018-10-19 18:56:28

I be brief...get a second opinion

Scar tissue....

by BOBTHOM - 2018-10-21 11:41:47

Scar tissue around the lead is normal and actually what helps keep the leads in place.  However, perhaps there is other scar tissue developing on your heart that is causing the issue in which case they may need to relocate the new leads slightly.  Scar tissue does not conduct electric current the same as "normal" tissue.   Lead extraction can be tricky so make sure your team is well qualified in the procedure!

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I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.