Lead Extraction Experiences Please!

Easier today than it used to be..

by USMC-Pacer - 2024-03-31 19:33:32

You don't say how old you are or how long your leads have been in. I'm assuming since 2011? I just had mine taken out that were in since 2012. DR. said it wasn't easy but went without complications. I can't speak for all hospitals, but mine was done in the cardiothoracic surgery room with a cardiothoracic surgeon and team on standby just as a precaution if needed. The only turnoff about the leadless for me, is that I hear they have a max HR of 130bpm. That is a NO WAY for me. If that works for you, great.. As always, do your research :)

Lead Extraction

by doublehorn48 - 2024-03-31 21:49:43

I had lead extraction in 2017. I had no problems and went back to work after a couple of weeks. I see where you are talking about leadless pacemakers in previous posts. I asked my favorite AI about leadless pacemakers. It says that 2 companies are offering them. One has an  upper limit of  150 bpm. The other's upper limit is 165. The leads you have are capped since they aren't needed and it's best not to extract them if you don't need to go through an extraction. I, myself, am thinking of going leadless. But do the research.

Answers to Questions on this thread

by Cat111 - 2024-04-01 05:52:46

Hi - I am 44. 3 pacers, 2 broken leads.  3rd degree congenital. The dual abbott leadless can go 160-185 last I have read and is extractable. I did a lot of research and cannot get in Canada yet, and also lead extraction is not common place, so I have saved up to do everything once right at Cleveland Clinic.  I will have 2 days of testing in regards to the extraction but really want to make my decision on fact and long term not out of fear - especially when I am opting for such a high volume centre to do it in.  I am hoping we get more stories on this thread, patient experience is valuable.

extraction

by Tracey_E - 2024-04-01 10:46:53

If you choose to extract, you won't find a better place to do it than Cleveland Clinic!

Buzbuz9 just had her leads extracted and switched to leadless and posted about it about a week ago. She now has leadless.

doublehorn, extraction has come a long way, even since you had yours. Last time I had a lead replaced I chose to have the old one capped off rather than extract (2015) and wait and see how technology improved. This next replacement I am leaning towards extraction, even if we go with leadless. 

Timely Topic

by Figallegro - 2024-04-10 23:29:00

I had PM and lead replacement 2/6/24. During extraction, my tricuspid vale was torn causing severe regurgitation. On 4/2/24 I had minimal invasive tricuspid valve surgery where they went through the rib and not open my chest. During the 4/2/24 surgery, they discovered a piece of broken lead wire floating in  the heart. It was also discovered that the new lead had bacteria already and on the torn valve. The surgeon also discovered that one of the new 2/6/24 new leads was  not working... Looking at ways this could have been avoided, I can't understand why the surgeon did not observe that the lead had grwon into the valve tissue. They cold have just capped off the old lead and installed a new lead. No one I talked with in the cardiothorasaic area ever heard of a valve taring, but it happened to me.It seems ilogical to run a lead through the valve when they could route it elsewhere and vaoid valve problem.  Two surgeries in two months has been tough on my 77 y/o body.