Dual leadless pacemaker experiences

Hello,

Any experiences with a dual leadless pacemaker for Braycardia ? The process, placement, recovery, pacing etc... any info positive or negative is appreciated as I will start down this road come January. 36 yr old F. 
 

 


11 Comments

leadless pacemaker

by new to pace.... - 2024-10-05 19:46:23

while you are waiting for someone to respond to you query. You might use the search engine above clik on what looks like a magnifing glass.  There have been some on here but not many users of leadless pacemakers.

wonder why you have to wait so long to have one?

new to pace

Dual leadless pacemaker

by jwork - 2024-10-05 22:22:26

Appreciate the help :) Yes it is only about a yr being FDA approved at least for this Abbott dual leadless pacemaker that can be removed/replaced in 5 ish years when the battery is done.

On the cancelation list until then, so hoping for sooner. Here in OR my Dr has placed only10 of these dual leadless pacers; (about 50 of the single leadless) lots of unknowns but looks like the best option for my situation. Until January i just go to the ER when my heart rate is in the 20's. Caffeine and salt to keep me going. Again, appreciate your response. 

placed leadless pacemaker

by new to pace.... - 2024-10-05 23:19:48

for me i would like to have someone who has done more then10.

 I am not a doctor, It is not wise to wait until your heart rate is in the 20's you could be driving your car an have accident. Or fall down the steps.  If it was me would go with a conventional pacemaker.  Then at your next change of battery the technology will be better say in 10 years.

new to pace

Advise against the leadless

by Amyelynn - 2024-10-06 03:11:28

Hi

from my knowledge from my doctors and Medtronic rep (granted there duel leadless is not out yet) I'd highly advise against the duel leadless pacemaker.

one they have not been out that long and not much studies with them.

2 they can be impacted by high frequencies which in turn can cause the batteries to deplete as a much more rapid speed.

3 they can not be checked remotely just in office

4 you need double the surgeries as the part that goes in the atrial is much smaller hence shorter battery life so that may only last 5 years while's ventricle device could last 7

Not knowing your history but being similar in age to you (I'm 38) id start with a duel chamber device with leads (I've always had Medtronic) and maybe when your leads need replacing Medtronic will have there duel leadless device out with many years of studies. 


I also second what another person said... 10 device implants is not a lot. I would definitely not go to that doctor if you choose to get the leadless.
 

good luck on which ever you choose! 

Leadless

by piglet22 - 2024-10-06 06:06:16

You have to weigh up the pros and cons.

Leaded devices are easier to get at and change the generator, have potentially longer lifetimes, but have connectors and leads to go wrong. Faulty leads by all accounts are difficult to repair or remove.

Apparently, looking at the Medtronic Micra 75, it's about the size of an AAA battery. From a totally gut feeling, I don't much like the idea of a device sitting in my pump (heart) reliant on staying put.

I would need some persuasion of the benefits.

Conventional device users sometimes have problems with the appearance and sometimes discomfort, but I think that's a small price to pay.

If you look at Medtronic's website for the Micra 75, the first thing you see is a safety warning which is a worth reading and they say that this device isn't for everyone.

What you want to hear from your pacing consultant issues why leadless is a good idea in your case.

Micra & Abbott

by Amyelynn - 2024-10-06 19:14:48

My comments were about the aveir it kind of slipped my mind that Medtronic has the aveir yet that was never an option in my eyes for me personally as they are not meant to be removed. 
you are young I would not want two devices stuck in my heart forever. Think long term and for your future as sadly most doctors do not (I have had this issue as I've been paced since age 12)

why do you not want a pacemaker with leads? Will this be your first device?

 

Abbott leadless

by jwork - 2024-10-06 22:04:46

Thank you for your response.

The Abbott dual leadless will not stay in the heart-one of the pros is that it does come out once the battery life is over. Same procedure, take out the old replace with new. Yes, 1st device. Recovery is quicker. No restriction of arm/shoulder. Cosmetically no pocket scar. No worries about leads and possible complications. (Even if slight chance.) 

 

leadless

by new to pace.... - 2024-10-06 22:13:47

What about the vein or artery that is used to place this device in your heart.  Is where that is opened sore after it is used? Also how many times can that be used?

new to pace

Hmmm

by piglet22 - 2024-10-07 08:22:24

jwork

You haven't had it fitted yet.

I've never had a say in what gets fitted and just assumed I got what was on the shelf. That was a couple of decades ago. The second one was the same.

I'm coming up for the third one soon, and I'm willing to bet I won't get any discussion about type then.

However, older and wiser now, and assuming it isn't another emergency admission, I will make sure I ask what I'm going to get before I get it, and if leadless comes up, I will want a convincing explanation for the choice.

Unless it's something compelling like leaded is now not advised for whatever reason, I will stick with what I have.

If, as Amyelynn says, the Abbott device cannot be interrogated through Bluetooth or home reader, i would see that as a major disadvantage.

The move here in the UK at least is towards remote monitoring, and anything that works in your favour, like better monitoring, has to be for the better.

I’m an advocate for the leadless pacemaker

by ABelle - 2024-10-07 16:08:09

Hey! 
I've had two dual chamber traditional pacemakers, and just received my first leadless pacemaker two weeks ago. I'm only 45. I got my first pacemaker after my heart stopped when I was 31. I had my leads and my old pacemaker removed two weeks ago and a new leadless pm implanted into my bottom chamber. I go back on the 17th to have the new St. Jude leadless pacemaker implanted into my top chamber. I opted for the leadless after consulting with my doctors because I'm "young" and don't want to have to have my leads removed again another 2 or 3 times if I'm lucky. I can also tell you that you can send remote transmissions from your home and still don't have to go in. I was also told that if you pace a smaller amount of time that the leadless pacemakers have a battery that can last up to 15 years. I'm obviously still new to this particular technology but I have high hopes. I will say the my traditional leadless pacemakers both worked very well for me. It solved a lot of issues when my heart rate and blood pressure were bottoming out. Which sounds similar to what you have going on. I would encourage you not to wait to get what you need. Sending you lots of love and healing vibes! 

3.5 MONTHS POST AVEIR LEADLESS DUAL IMPLANT

by Cat111 - 2024-10-09 07:11:28

Everyone's case is different. My history with lead fractures warranted a change for quality of life and less stress. This was not an easy surgery (took 10.5 hours) but I don't even think about the device(s) now. After implanting, I went back to Cleveland and met with Abbott technical folks who are confident my atrial will make 6 yrs putting it much closer to a traditional pacer for my needs.

The surgeon is what matters when choosing this path. Trust me.

If you are younger I would recommend.

Best of luck

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