Photos

Wow

by Lavender - 2024-10-01 09:30:51

That sure is different! What did your dr say about it? 

Glad you got to keep your old device. Loved the pics of you and your guy!

It is quite pronounced

by Gemita - 2024-10-01 13:39:28

Pezzypooh, what a lovely name!

Thank you for posting to the Gallery.  I see what you mean about the lead being pronounced and I am sure that would cause irritation, not to mention the possibility that it could actually get caught on something or you could end up scratching it and opening up the wound.

What to do about it though is another matter?  Opening up the wound and repositioning the lead, or securing the lead under the device would be invasive and potentially an infection risk.   On the other hand, to leave it as it is, is not ideal either.

I would have a long chat with your team and come to a decision.  If the lead is irritating and uncomfortable, it might be worth the risk of reopening the wound and repositioning the lead, especially as the device will be in for some years before your next replacement.  Please let us know what is eventually decided.

The pocket however looks normal otherwise, not inflammed or unduly swollen.  Did you check in the Gallery the picture posted by Selwyn next to yours?  It too shows his lead being quite pronounced.  My surgeons did a wonderful job on my first current device.  I wonder what device number 2 will bring?  Good luck Pezzypooh 

AngrySparrow

by pezzypooh - 2024-10-01 23:21:49

Angry Sparrow - this is my second one and it's very different with the lead on top - I can't imagine a reason for it with using the same pocket, etc.

Unfixable without going back in

by crustyg - 2024-10-02 03:38:52

I don't suppose for a moment that the final lead position is deliberate.

I suspect that a twist has been introduced into the lead so that it's popped up on top of your device.

I think that your only options are a) leave it as it is, b) get your EP-doc to open up that incision, cut and remove the PM anchor suture, untwist the PM/lead so that when the PM is slid back into the pocket the leads lie flat underneath the PM, redo the anchor suture and close up the skin.  Who would pay for this?

The EP-techs here check the PM at each annual in-person to make sure that the leads (actually the lead connections to the PM) aren't at risk of eroding through the skin.

I suspect that there is a *small* but real risk of that lead eroding through the skin over the next 7-8 years so my choice would be to have it revised and politely and firmly explain that I am not willing to pay for the mistake of the operator who did the PM replacement.  The sooner this is done the better, as scar tissue may build up over time making the PM difficult to move.

Your choice may be different.

Revision

by pezzypooh - 2024-10-16 21:37:52

Well, my Cardiologist will be scheduling me for a pocket revision.  The nurse that I have worked with for years said she has never seen anything like this happen!