Risks - Infection

When people talk about the risks for PM lead procedure, one of the common risks  is the infection. I would like to know is the infection is skin infection or heart muscle infection or both. 

2 Comments

Infection risks

by Gemita - 2024-09-27 17:45:13

Smopace,

After an implant, the entry area for an infection is often the pocket where the device was placed and attached to the leads, leads that go to the heart.  Until the pocket is fully closed and healed, there is always a risk that bacteria can enter the wound, multiple, if not caught early, and then spread down the leads to the lead tips that are attached to the heart.  Antibiotics at this stage would no longer be able to effectively treat the infection and the only solution would be to remove the entire pacemaker system and then treat any remaining infection aggressively with IV antibiotics.

So you can see the potential for an infection to spread rapidly and to be potentially fatal.

Thanks for Gemita. You are always the best!

by smopace - 2024-09-27 18:26:30

Thank you!

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.