replacement pm

Hi all my good friends

I have been using pm's since 1987 and have been told that I need a new one. This will be my 4th. I have been told that my cardiologist has to sort out which type to have. 2 leads where left in situ from my 2nd one, if I have to have another one, will the leads be left in situ again, 2 leads in my left shoulder and 2 leads in my right shoulder plus the new ones. Errrrrr wish we have wireless ones here.

Does this entail my age, condition or whatever is wrong with me. I live in the U.K. and I think we are not up to the standard as in the U.S. a little bit behind still.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Yours very truly

fluzy suzy

4 Comments

Why new leads?

by golden_snitch - 2013-08-17 01:08:12

Hi Suzy!

You normally do not get new leads with every pacemaker. Pacemaker leads last much longer than the pacemaker battery, some people have their first (set of) leads for 15-20 years or even more. What's wrong with your leads? Also, as long as there is enough space for more leads, I'd not have any old leads removed. Yes, there has been lots of progress regarding lead removal, but it still is a procedure that's a bit tricky, especially when the leads have been in place for many years. This procedure should only be performed by very experienced hands and in a hospital where they also have cardio-thoracic surgery.

Hope you replacement surgery goes well!

Inga

Hi Suzy

by IAN MC - 2013-08-17 01:08:30

What makes you think the UK is behind any other countries ? Do you know something that I don't know ?

We have cardiology centres which are among the best in the world and we are not behind in any way regarding technology. Wireless PM's are still on trial throughout the world and are not yet readily available anywhere

Best of luck with your PM box change, I'm sure your existing leads will be just fine.

Ian

New leads

by Rog - 2013-08-18 02:08:44

I went for an ICD to a CRT-D. I knew doc would have to add one wire,but added two. Said I had a bad wire after 4 years!

new leads

by Fluzy Suzy - 2013-08-20 11:08:10

thank ou Rog for your info
You had a bad lead after only 4 years, my second one was implanted in 1987 and still have those leads in. God knows what state they are in.
Take care

Fluzy Suzy

You know you're wired when...

You forecast electrical storms better than the weather network.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.