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Atrial pacemaker lead blood clot
Has anyone had experience with this issue? My friend informed me today that the blood clot on her atrial pacemaker lead has not dissolved (she was on Coumadin) and in fact has gotten larger and more are forming on the lead. What could cause a blood clot to form on a pacemaker lead and how common is this? If anyone has had this happen, what was done or can it be corrected safely? I'm very concerned about her and want to help her find any information that can help. Her doctors don't know what to do and she is getting a second opinion.
I was wondering how your friend is doing and the help she has received. My brother has gone under severel surgerys for the blood clots by his leads in his pacemaker. Is on coumadin that not working. All steming from tick bit.He need help and has seen several heart specialists no one know what to do for him.
Hi
Pacemaker leads can behave like a foreign body in the blood which can alter blood flow and increase turbulence which may lead to platelet aggregation and fibrin deposition which could lead to a blood clot formation. The presence of conditions such as hypertension, use of oral contraceptives, obesity etc can increase the chances of thrombosis (clot formation) in the body.
Therapy varies from blood thinning agents (heparin, coumadin) , thrombolysis or percutaneous angioplasty, with or without stent or open surgery procedure.
With blood clots there is a risk of spreading to lungs, heart or the brain. Your friend should get a ultrasound, CT scan to find out the size and the location of the clot.
Do let us know if you need any other information.
Regards
Pacemaker leads can behave like a foreign body in the blood which can alter blood flow and increase turbulence which may lead to platelet aggregation and fibrin deposition which could lead to a blood clot formation. The presence of conditions such as hypertension, use of oral contraceptives, obesity etc can increase the chances of thrombosis (clot formation) in the body.
Therapy varies from blood thinning agents (heparin, coumadin) , thrombolysis or percutaneous angioplasty, with or without stent or open surgery procedure.
With blood clots there is a risk of spreading to lungs, heart or the brain. Your friend should get a ultrasound, CT scan to find out the size and the location of the clot.
Do let us know if you need any other information.
Regards
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