MEDTRONIC LEADS RECALL

I WAS IMPLANTED WITH A MEDTRONIC ICD ON 5-13-05 AND I COMPLANED  THAT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AND I HAD BEEN TO THE METRONIC CLINIC AT THE VA HOSPITAL IN JAN. 23 OF 2007 AND ON FEB 10, 2007 I WAS SITTING IN MY RECLINER WATCHING TV WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GOT SHOCKED AND KNOCKED OUT OF MY RECLINER. I CALLED MY SON AND HE TOOK ME TO THE NEAREST ER AND DURING THIS TIME PERIOD I WAS SHOCKED 19 TIMES UNNECESSARILLY. THIS IS NO TAP LIKE METRONIC WANTS YOU TO THIINK IT IS A MULE KICKING YOU IN THE CHEST AND A BOMB EXPLODING IN YOUR HEAD. THE ER PERSONAL WERE RUNNING AROUND LIKE THEY WERE SCARED THEY WERE GOING TO BE SHOCKED. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS THE MEDTRONIC TECH GOT THERE AND SHUT THE ICD OFF. WHAT A RELIEF I THROUGH IT WAS GOING TO KILL ME. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 2 WKS. THEY PUT A NEWER ICD IN AND CAPPED OFF THE EXISTING LEAD #6949 THAT WAS FRACTURED THEY THEN PUT ANOTHER LEAD#6949 THAT I FOUND OUT THE 15TH OF OCT WAS BEING RECALLED BY METRONIC. MY QUESTION IS I HAVE BEEN HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT BEING SHOCKED AND RINGING IN THE EARS,PALPATIONS AND NECK PAIN LIKE A WHIP LASH SINCE ALL THIS HAPPENED. DO I NEED TO HAVE THESE LEADS TAKEN OUT AND A NEW ONE IMPLANTED. I DON'T WANT TO GO THRU THAT AGAIN FOR NO REASON. I AM A 60 YEAR OLD MALE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I am sorry to hear that happened to you.  You do not need to have the leads taken out.  The recommendations are to have device checks a minimum of every three months.  They will also turn some audible alerts on for your device -- it sounds like a low pitch hum.  These sounds are activated when certain triggers on your device are activated that might suggest a lead fracture or impeding fracture.  Between these frequent device checks and the audible alerts, the likelihood of catching a lead problem before it becomes a problem is increased.

The incidence of lead fractures is still relatively low 2.5% over 30 months.  It is important to continuing to monitor to make sure there are no problems in the future.

A consensus panel of experts agreed that the risk of taking leads out or implanting new leads before problems occur is higher risk than monitoring for problems.  You should call your doctors office and ask that the device be reprogrammed to the recommended setting if not already done.

I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[Momto3]

OMYGOSH!  I am so sorry to hear about the problems you have had with your ICD!  I can't imagine being shocked 19 times, let alone once.  My dad also has the "defective" lead, but his doctor feels it should be fine.  Give your doctor's office a call and ask what they recommend with regard to the lead.  You may also be told that it is best to just leave it where it is.  You have every right to call and discuss the lead problem with your doctor.  I'm sure he/she will understand your concerns.