My husband has had a pacer/defib for 2 years.It has to be removed and he will have a new one put in on the other side of his chest the next day. He was told that the removal was difficult and was referred to a different surgeon with more experience in removals. He was also told that LASER would be used in the surgery. I have assisted with putting pacers in but have never seen a removal so I do not know how much different the procedures are.
2007-02-23 16:55:41 · 7 answers · asked by dmoRFY 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
The removal of the generator is no big deal. It's the removal of the leads that scares health care practitioners because of the small risk of perforating the heart. Often the leads end up being capped off and left in because of the difficulty involved in removing them, but this isn't always an option.
2007-02-24 07:35:18 · answer #1 · answered by Amy P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is the entire system being removed? Is there a problem with the equipment or an infection? Most of the time, only the generator is changed, and the leads (wires) are left in place. Even if the leads are going to be updated, most old leads are left in place and capped off. The new leads are added and connected to the generator. And most generators last generally around 5 years unless they are being continuously called upon to pace or for frequent defibrillation.
The only time we remove leads where I work is when there is a manufacturing defect or an infection.We also will not necessarily remove a generator for an upgrade if it is on the other side of the chest. It just opens up the patient to a greater risk of infection.
You and your physician were wise to call someone with more experience in removals. It sounds like you will be in good hands :>)
2007-02-27 14:04:50 · answer #2 · answered by Linny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they're removing the leads, the laser is used to help detach the leads from the heart muscle. There is a special sheath that slides over the wires, down to the heart. The sheath has a laser conduit which can burn a *very* small area around the leads to help remove them without damaging the heart.
Taking the pacer out is then a matter of making a small incision and removing the device.
2007-02-23 23:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by Ken C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laptops and pacemakers are superb mutually. cellular telephones are no longer a project the two. we don't want human beings on cellular telephones for one popular reason interior the well-being midsection and one secondary reason. the popular is interference with some kit (some ventilators and cardiac video exhibit instruments) yet no longer pacemakers. the different is affected person relax and convenience. rigidity ranges flow out the roof with those issues going off all the time and human beings yaking in any respect hours of the night and day. wish this facilitates. i'm exceptionally specific that microwave ovens are no longer as vast a project for pacemakers now as they have been as quickly as theory to be. Jeff the nurse in Nashville.
2016-09-29 13:23:20 · answer #4 · answered by ilsa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother had pace makers and an uncle too. They have to change the batteries periodically so removal is required. Both had the things replaced several times and it was no big deal. Generally the cardiac teams do them in the hospitals. They're just under the skin so it's not like open heart surgery or something of that nature. Both mother and uncle went to local hospitals- didn't require Mayo Clinic or such! I think thousands are done every day of the week.
2007-02-24 01:39:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The removals I have seen have involved removing only the device itself and leaving the leads; new leads were put in on the other side.
Ask your doctor if they are planning to remove the leads as well. This could involve a cardiac surgeon and laser.
2007-02-23 17:21:50 · answer #6 · answered by janejane 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just pull the wire
2007-02-24 00:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋