Pacemaker question

pains

by Tracey_E - 2024-05-28 17:25:52

I would mention it to your doctor. Don't assume it's the leads. You should not be feeling pacing. 

Pains

by piglet22 - 2024-05-29 10:14:49

Too tricky to answer without knowing a lot more.

The leads and electrodes form part of a circuit for a current to flow and activate the muscles 

Somewhere there has to be a return path for the pacing voltage to pass the current.

I've always assumed that it will be part of the lead makeup, but articles suggest that it can be through the tissues and blood.

It's worth remembering that electricity will flow in many more materials than copper wires. Seawater has a very high conductivity. Cattle are electrocuted by standing on damp soil near earth rods if a fault develops.

The article refers to damaged bipolar leads being converted to unipolar.

Unipolar suggests another return path other than the lead.

If that were the case, it might be reasonable to get some sensation.

I can confirm that in a case of battery depletion, mine, the pacing current transferred to my pectoral muscle.

The pacing technician who looked at said there had been a mode change.

She raised the threshold voltage as a temporary fix until the generator was replaced a few hours later.

She didn't say what, but could that have been bipolar to unipolar?

It's definitely worth getting it checked.

Edit

Added the reference

https://derangedphysiology.com/main/required-reading/cardiothoracic-intensive-care/Chapter%20901/anatomy-temporary-pacemaker-circuit

Ask the dr

by Lavender - 2024-05-29 21:40:05

I think that asking your cardiologist is the way to go!