lead revision

I had a pacemaker implanted in late January, and my 6 week visit last Friday shows the lead wire disconnected and needing to be replaced.  Will this surgery be like the actual implant?  Could a stressful incident have caused this?  Finally, when will PVC's be more than a bother and something to actually worry about?  thanks..

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

The procedure will be very similar to a re implant.  They will open the pocket, take out the device, and then will have to reposition the lead.  It won't take that long to do.  

Stress like work stress would not do it.  If you went golfing early after implant, that could do it.  Some leads fall out or dislodge -- we try to secure them they best that we can but sometimes they dislodge. I am sorry that it happened to you.

If you have a normal echo, EKG, and stress test, there is very rarely any circumstances that you need to worry about PVCs.  They must be taken in the context of the clinical situation, but it is unlikely that normal heart PVCs will lead to anything significant.  As always, it is important to discuss this with your doctor.

I hope this helps.