NEED HELP WITH LEAD EXTRACTION

Hi there all
I am a new member of your site and I need assistance.
I have a a pm since 1980(6 years old) and I am now 34. Several pm's later. My atrial lead needs to be changed as it is almost broken however, due to all the pm changes and no extractions there are too many leids in the vein. My doctors in Jamaica say we neither have the equiptment or the expertise to do the surgery here(I implanted the last pm here with great success). I was born with congenital heart block and have tetrology of fallot.
I need advise on
1) an experienced doctor
2) a good hospital
3) personal advise on how the surgery went (just how risky it really is)
4) advise on the recovery(as I have 2 super active boys ages 3 &4)
5) any other advise anyone can offer who has had this procedure
I have contacted some members but I am actually eager to hear from anyone from FLORIDA in particular SOUTH FLORIDA as we have a house there as well and it would be easier for the family to be with me there. I heard of an excellent dr by the name of Charles Byrd who specializes in lead extractions-has anyone heard of him?
Any advise will be sooooo greatly appreciated. I eagerly await any replies on this post.

5 Comments

pm

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-18 01:02:00

I just sent you a private message

Just had extraction and replacement

by BriBoy01 - 2009-02-18 10:02:39

I just had extraction and replacement done but I am in West Virginia so I can't make a suggestion. Best of luck to you though!

Florida

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-18 11:02:43

We have several members who have been through lead extractions. I'm sure one will speak up soon!

I haven't had a lead extraction but I live in south Florida. How soon do you need to make a decision? My next appointment isn't until 3/11 but I'd be happy to ask my doctor for a recommendation. I don't have any idea if Dr. Motta, the cardiac surgeon I used for my initial implant and 3 replacements, does extractions but he has an excellent reputation and I had all very good experiences with him so far. I'd be really surprised if the hospital where he practices (Palm Beach Gardens) can do extractions but I would trust his recommendation. PBG specializes in heart, but they're pretty small. My guess would be U of Miami or Jackson Memorial.

You've obviously had several pm's replaced, but how many sets of leads do you have? If it's just the original set, they should be able to add the new one without taking the others out.

Thanks for the reply FLORIDA

by amshirley - 2009-02-18 12:02:01

Hi
thanks so much for the reply,
I know a Dr. at Jackson's who did one of my older pacemakers but had a bad experience with arythmia's and he told me it was a"symptom of my condition which I would have to learn to live with" and my husband was upset and said I could not live like this and sought a second opinion and we ended up at North Carolina (Duke University) where I did a surgery and have never had arythmia's again. Needless to say I have no desire to go back to him. I heard he has 2 people on his team that do it but not interested in them.

There is a doc at Broward General Dr. Charles Byrd who when googled really seemed to have dedicated his life to lead extraction and related operations and has won several awards and written on it but I just wish atleast one person here kney him.

I have 4 existing leads in the vein and one right outside the main vein that has been broken since about 1986 but we left it there. So 5 but only 4 in the main vein(dont know all the terms like you guys-feel kind of stupid).
My home is in Pembroke Pines Florida and ironically I had my last child at Broward General(same hospital).

I need to have my operation as soon as possible as I rely on the atrial lead 15% of the time and it is basically kaputz. SO i feel crappy 15% of the time...=) Thank God it is not my ventricular lead as I depend on that 90% of the time then it would be urgent. Nights are bad. My pressure drops very low sometimes and I feel like I wanna pass out (like 87/47). I dont want to sound like a nag but maybe you could ask your doctor if he knows Dr. Charles Byrd? If its too much trouble dont worry.

I really thank you for your response especially since you have not even had a lead extraction and still took the time out. Every bit of support feels so comforting as no one else can relate.(my poor husband tries so hard and my doctor too but he really has not done one or even known of a case in Jamaica). Hopefully someone with a lead extraction can answer me soon as I am desperate for answers and advise.
Thanks Florida.

Lead Extraction

by m_walters - 2013-12-09 03:12:12

Wanted to post my opinion on the lead extraction. I had mine recently done at the University of Miami hospital under Dr. Carrillo who is a leader in the field and nationally known for this procedure. He uses a laser which is apparently safer that any other tool. My suggestion is to make sure your physician uses the laser over mechanical. If they use mechanical, do not continue with the procedure and find a physician who uses the laser.

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