Lead problem?

Posted By Jan on July 07, 1999 at 11:32:48
Hi,
I have a friend who has a dual chamber, epicardial implant. They have 2 leads going up to the right shoulder, and then 2 connector leads from the right to the left across their chest.  They had open chest surgery and has metal clips in the breast bone.  At times they get a sharp pain in the area of the top of the breast bone.  When this implant was done you could see the leads sort of stick up when they layed on their side.  Now this does not happen. The patient had asked the EP doctor if this could cause any trouble, and be the cause of the pain if the lead was catching on the clip?  This was before knowing the position of the lead for sure.  The doctor said no, because the lead is insulated.  Which is correct.  
But, just recently they had a chest film done, and the radiologist said it was curious that the a-lead goes right through the top metal clip.  That there is a chance that this position of the a-lead, may cause constant rubbing against the metal clip and in time, if not already, cause a break in the insulation of the lead.  The impedance on the lead is high, but it still senses ok.  I would think that the impedance would be low if there was a break?  Any ideas?  Thank you for any information you may have on this.










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