Dead Battery

Hi I have had an IED since 2005 first one was  Boston Scietific That was recalled over a month after it was implanted. Four years later I had it removed and a Medtronic device installed shortly after that my fidelis lead was recalled. In 2019 I was told that my battery was nearing end of life and the device would need to be replaced. I thought long and hard in the 14 years I had a device it never had to deliver therapy not once zero. Along came COVID 19 and I postponed having the device replaced. In 2022 I sat down with my electrophysiologist at Yale New Haven. I wanted to know the pros and cons and if I even needed a device. He had Medtronic form a test to see if I was a candidate for the new style device that goes under your armpit. Lo and behold I qualified yay me. Fast forward to 2023 I haven't smoked or drank alcohol in over 10 years. My instances of V Tech had decreased from 20 plus every three months To between 1 and 4. My electrophysiologist has since left Yale New Haven and I was referred to another one. Again I asked do I need a device as the removal and lead extraction is quite dangerous. I'm a 63 year old male I requested a haltometer For 30 days the best that Doctor would perscribe is seven days. In the seven days my heart was being monitored I had one minor episode of non sustained SVT. This was enough for the doctor to recommend the new device. I honestly don't wanna have the existing device removed I guess the major concern is if I leave it is an  infection. I was hoping to see if there's anyone else out there like me who has had a non functioning device for an extended period of time. Is there anyone out there who has had a nonfunctioning device for years and years? Thanks sleepless in Connecticut.....

7 Comments

dead battery

by new to pace.... - 2024-02-06 15:51:30

I am not a medical person.  I reread your query from before when you asked this question.  Along with the answers that you were given by others.  There are good answers about your lead removal.

I think you are taking a chance with your dead battery.  Since your device will not work if you need it to.

I had never heard about placeing the device in your arm pit.Looked that up to see where.  That scares me as the wire seems to cross in the front.  

Of course there is now a wireless pacemaker.  Which according to your query you do not need.

new to pace

Thanks for the comment

by Proud American - 2024-02-06 16:02:54

Thanks I  have had multiple horrible issues with my ICD's. It was once programmed to not let my heart go below 100 BPM and it was kept like that for several months until I went in for a checkup and the guidant tech asked me how I was doing I asked him why and he told me because the device was programmed to keep my heart above 100 BPM you don't think that screwed me up do you ? https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/2014/05/02/f040ec03d655e9aed48ee80483178c83.jpg

Dead Battery

by doublehorn48 - 2024-02-06 16:28:30

Dr. John Elefteriades is at Yale New Haven. If I were you I would try and see this great surgeon. He implanted my first pm.

Thank you

by Proud American - 2024-02-06 16:59:32

Thankj you. My major hurdle and danger is the lead extraction it has been in my body since 2005. I need the Tom Brady of lead extractions.

Dead device

by piglet22 - 2024-02-06 17:32:18

I would agree with the others.

It sounds like a situation that you shouldn't be in.

Try and get some decent advice and go with it.

I daresay there are cases where a device is recommended and later found out not to be required.

Lead extraction may not be necessary.

Leave the infection control to the implant team.

Holter monitoring time is restricted by demand, memory and battery life. 5 days is the norm For extended monitoring, a different device would be needed like an implanted monitor,.

I would agree that short period monitoring can miss intermittent and unpredictable events.

I hope you get things sorted.

Lead Extraction

by Proud American - 2024-02-06 18:15:06

Thanks for your feedback I too hope you get your issue sorted. Best!

Typing error

by piglet22 - 2024-02-07 08:55:53

Corrected "always" to "leads"

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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.