question about leads

hi all! so i'm scheduled for my 1st replacement surgery for my icd on april 12th. it's a boston scientific and since all that stuff is going on with them and the fda regarding some incomplete documentation, i may wind up getting a medtronic device instead if it's not all settled by my surgery date. my question is if i do get a medtronic would the leads have to be replaced as well or could they just use the 3 i have now?


thanks!!!! =0)

3 Comments

depends

by Cheldhaye Chill Day - 2010-03-18 08:03:36

it actually depends. mine s also a medtronic. my 1st implant was way back 19years ago and (lasted for 14 years) so it is obsolete for the devices to fit in now and so my doc advice me to really have a new one including wires. but on my 2nd operation way back last 2005 my medtronic device s somehow hi-tech and my doc said d lead are already standard and will fit any medtronic device and will not replace the leads if it works still for the next operation meaning i will use d same wires if its not worn out...only the pacemaker itself will be replaced.

probably not

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-18 08:03:47

You can mix and match brands of icd and leads! They're all standard and meant to be used together.

Perspective

by jvaltos - 2010-03-18 11:03:48

The leads are not standard. The IS-1 and IS-3 are the leads the most common in patients these days. And of course, there in a new lead just hitting the market for ICDs.

The long and short, don't worry about the old leads UNLESS you have a Medtronic 6949 which has an alert on it.

The implanting doctor should check in the integrity of the leads and if they are ok, just hook up the hold one and be done.

Good Luck-
Dr JV-

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.