Pacemaker and possible lead change

I some questions. I've had #1 pacemaker in 2002 and #2 pacemaker in 2011 with no lead change. How long do they last ? Also, if no change can I get MRI compatible pacemaker ? 

4 Comments

Lead life - depends!

by crustyg - 2021-03-17 18:36:01

There are contributors here who have 25year old leads, and some who've had a lead fail in 5years.  You will only be MRI-compatible if leads+PM are all made to be MRI-safe, and usually they have to be from the same vendor.

A new PM has the advantage of cleverer tricks and functions, which can be a big improvement.  And some of the CCHB folk here can tell you of PMs for adults that couldn't pace at more than 140BPM back in the day!  Not an issue these days.

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by Terry - 2021-03-17 20:28:53

If you do need a new ventricular lead, now you can get efficient ventricular activation, actually physiologically natural pumping action via His bundle pacing. This wasn't widely available 25 years ago. Put "His pacing" into your browser - for the health of your heart.

His

by AgentX86 - 2021-03-17 22:39:50

God grief, Terry.  Get a life!

still going

by dwelch - 2021-03-17 23:03:00

My oldest leads turn 34 in a few months.  started with two, one broke on the first replacement so the next oldest in action is almost 27 years old, then number four (the broken one is still in there) is a few years old (switch to biventrical).

Yes some last a long time clearly and some dont, too many factors to make rules or judgements, it is what it is.  This is why they do lead tests every year, just to see.  (or every day or whatever the take home box is supposed to do).

Thanks for the question Im sure my device is mri capable, but not all of my leads are from this century.  

Geez my last pacer had an upper limit of 135 or something, not sure what this one is set for.

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