Moving a pacemaker

I have had my pacemaker since October 2018. I have had increasing swelling of my left arm since the surgery. I initially though it was caused because I had breast cancer and lymph nodes removed 20 years ago. But it is because the PM lead is causing an obstruction in a vein. I had a vascular surgeon attempt to  increase the flow using a balloon procedure. This did not help. One option I have is to move the pacemaker to the right side. I would welcome any advice on the subject.

3 Comments

Venous obstruction with pacemaker insertion

by Selwyn - 2019-01-25 10:28:38

Advice:

What may happen on one side may happen on the other side!

The same factors causing the blood clot will be there unless your surgeon gives you some meds. to prevent. There is still no guarantee. 

I am unsure why moving the pacemaker to the other side would help? Seemingly, if the left subclavian vein is blocked and cannot be corrected with a balloon angioplasty this will remain blocked. Any swelling of the left arm would still remain. 

Over here in the UK there are specialist lymphoedema nurses to help with advice about how to minimise the swelling of the arm as this is not an uncommon problem associated with radical breast surgery and the removal of lymphatic tissue. Most of these specialist nurses are connected to cancer treatment centres.

I doubt whether you would want both arms with swelling!

Making the move?

by novak263 - 2019-01-27 12:25:01

Hi there. I had breast cancer too about 15 years ago and got lymphadema in my left arm from the node removal like you. They specifecally put my PM on my right side becasue of it. I'm surprised they didn't do the same with you. Now maybe if you didn't already have lymphadema they might have thought it would be okay, but even still, with node removal I would think that would be a risk. Any vode removal puts you as risk for lymphadema but in your case you said you had a vein obstruction so maybe it is a seperate issue. Not a doctor so sorry I can't be more help. But I would ask your doc about the lymphadema issue and if he or she thinks that might be a factor. Good luck!! You'll get it resolved I'm sure.

Moving a pacemaker. Update.

by Pjl0315 - 2019-02-22 13:12:12

i did have the pacemaker moved from my left side to my right side last week due to the extreme swelling in my left arm. The vascular surgeon went in the day after the move and was able to open up the vein that was blocked by the PM lead. The swelling started to decrease overnight. There is still some swelling but things seem to be getting much better.

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