Guest guest Posted June 7, 2002 Report Share Posted June 7, 2002 Hello All: Has anyone ever had to have their leads replaced? If so, what procedure was used? How difficult was it? How did you feel afterwards? Were there any complications? Any information would be appreciated. Mike Sonier Pensacola, Fl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2002 Report Share Posted June 8, 2002 Hello Mike and Lori; Welcome to the Family but I have a feeling you have been here but quiet for a while. Please everyone don't be bashful write away. The more the merrier. The more we read about the different personalities and experiences the more we can reduce everyone's anxieties. Thaks and Good Luck, Good Health and Good Heart. Love TURK PS: By the way you're invited to the prom as well!.... LOL >From: Lorisue981@... >Reply- > >Subject: Re: Lead Replacement >Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 22:41:34 EDT > >Hello Mike, > >My name is Lori and I'm a 38 year old pacemaker patient. I'm on my fourth >implant since I was 14, and I've had lead extraction surgery performed a >couple of years ago. Basically, the procedure is laser surgery whereby a >sheath is advanced over the wire all the way down to the site where the tip >is implanted. A laser burns away any unnecessary tissue and the tip can >either be removed or clipped and left in place. Also, FYI there are two > " experts " in this field that I'm aware of, Dr. Wilkoff at the Cleveland >Clinic and a Dr. Byrd somewhere in Florida. They are the pioneers and have >the most experience. Dr. Wilkoff did my surgery; he's great. Oh, and many >cardiologists will tell you the wires always have to be left in place after >a >device is replaced (if the wires are not reused), and that they are only >removed if there is a severe infection or some such thing. That's not >true; >they usually just don't have the equipment and are not trained in the >technique. My advice; find someone who's done many of these procedures. >The >recovery was similar to implant surgery. If you have any further >questions, >Dr. Wilkoff personally talked to us over the phone and discussed the >procedure before we even met him! Or if I can be of anymore assistance, >let >me know. > >Lori _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2002 Report Share Posted June 8, 2002 Mike, It occured to me perhaps they are not " extracting " wires from you, just adding an extra. I've had that done also. They just disconnect the faulty (or in my case broken) wire and leave it in place, then insert a new wire through the existing vein (yes, you'd be amazed at how many wires can fit through one vein) or different vein if need be. They hook it up to your device and you're good to go. Good luck. Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2002 Report Share Posted June 8, 2002 --- Lorisue981@... wrote: > Mike, > > It occured to me perhaps they are not " extracting " > wires from you, just > adding an extra. Thanks Lorisue,for the information. I've often wondered what would happen if one of my leads came loose or quit working. This is what makes this zapper list so great ,all the good info from people who have been there and know what their talking about.Although I don't post often ,I do read all the posts and have gleaned many helpful tips and information. Welcome and keep posting.Sounds like you have been thru a lot since age 14. God Bless ===== This is the day that the Lord has made.Be happy and peaceful in it.May He bless you greatly. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2002 Report Share Posted June 11, 2002 Dear Mike, I will back Lori about Dr.Wilkof. He was in training with the renowned Dr. Victor Morant at the clinic when I had my very first Icd. I had one of the very first procedures done. I have two sets of leads inside my chest as there was no way to remove them possible at that time and DR, Wilkof as well as my local EP DR, Gordon. My surgeon in this area is Dr. Kleiman (who also studied under Dr. Morant, I was actually the guinea pig for this group. I had to switch because or new insurance would not honor the Cleveland Clinic but gratefully Dr. Castle had moved over to University Hospital. I know that Dr. Victor Morant has a severe stroke and I not sure of the results. I can tell you this that was one hell of a group of doctors. My daughter use to bake them chocolate chip cookies and keep a cookie jar filled in my room for them. Needless to say they all became like extended family The leads taht are still embedded are checked regularly. Trouble is I am running out to places so if this set breaks there is no place to put another. Love and Hugs Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2002 Report Share Posted June 11, 2002 If you should se or talk to Dr. Wilkof tell him I said hello and ask if he remembers the night my eyes turned orange and scared the crap out of him. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 I do know that at Loma Heart institute they known workd wide but as for going in and taking out a lead of my grandsons to change his very different wiring to the normal they donot do procedures to remove leads, they send them to Burbank etc. Therefore it has to be a lot more complicated. This surprised me since Loma is known world wide for their heart institute. From: Zvi Har'El [mailto:rl@...] Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 11:09 AM Subject: Lead replacement Dear ICDers, Although I am a veteran ICD recepient (I have already my 3rd generation device), I never paid a lot of attention to the discussions in this forum, perhaps in the ostrich behaviour of hiding my head in the sand and try to forget about the device. Now I need your advice: My daughter has also an ICD of her own (my two surviving children got their ICD's after the SCD of my 19 years old son, who was not protected, see http://Gilead.org.il), and in a a routine checkup they found out that the lead is broken. As she is young (24), they want to pull the broken electrode out before installing a new one. I wonder: Does any of you has any experience with this? How difficult it is? How dengerous? She has a single chamber Guidant ICD. I'll appreciate a fast reply, as she is held in the hospital until the procedure is done. Best regards, Zvi. -- Dr. Zvi Har'El mailto:rl@... Department of Mathematics tel:+972-54-4227607 icq:179294841 Technion - Israel Institute of Technology fax:+972-4-8293388 http://www.math.technion.ac.il/~rl/ Haifa 32000, ISRAEL " If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all. " -- Thumper (1942) Wednesday, 17 Shevat 5765, 26 January 2005, 9:01PM Please visit the Zapper homepage at http://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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