Change of Pacemaker

[deb847]

My mother had her pacemaker changed.  She is on coumadin and that was not stopped before the surgery. She has formed a large hemotobin at the sight.  A pressure pack and ice have been applied. It has been 3 days since surgery, and her breast nipple has come enlarged and  red. Bruising is around the side of her body.  Could this be from the blood moving down?

[kenkeith]

Thanks for your response.  Sorry to hear of the medical problems associated with the pacemaker.  I believe anti-platelet medication should be stopped for at least 7 days if there is not any greater than the risk for so doing.  Hope it goes well with your mother.  Take care.

[deb847]

Thanks, just returned to the doctor today.  The entire site and breast is filled with blood.  Back to surgery to open the site and drain all the blood.  This time the Coumadin will be stopped and a night in the hospital after surgery.   Hopefully this will clear the issue and the simple procedure of "changing a pacemaker" will be done"

[kenkeith]

Hemotobin is consdiered a complication of an implant.  The conditon should be treated.  There are other risks as well and I have listed a few:

Risks of Pacemaker Surgery
•Nerve damage at the incision site
•Damage to the tissues or blood vessels around the heart or the incision site
•Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
•Bruising at the site of placement (this is an expected effect of surgery)
•Faulty pacemaker that does not function as intended after the surgery (very rare)
•Faulty lead wires that connect the pacemaker to the heart (very rare)
•Lead wires that become dislodged after surgery due to activity or poor placement.


You mother should have a followup consultation to avoid any serious consequences.  Thanks for the question.