lead replacement

[vikki53]

I have a ventricular lead that has an increasingly high capture rate and needs replacement. I am having my lead extracted at Brigham and Womens in Boston and would like to feel a little more confident about the procedure. My venogram and CT chest angiogram indicate an unocluded vein but was told that the lead can still be attached to the vein wall when the surgery is done and can lead to complication.

Has anyone had lead extraction surgery within the past year?

[vikki53]

Thanks so much for the input. I am curious... are you an EP?  Your response puts my mind at ease since I dread the thought of this procedure turning into an open chest scenario. I am scheduled for surgery on 2/10 and will be receiving a new defibrillator as well.

[lmuenchen]

Hi,

I've seen many patients having the lead replaced. Your presurgical workup (CT angio AND venogram) is extensive and seems very well done. Problems at the vein wall are extremely rare under these circumstances. I would not worry about possible complications at the vein wall - the lead replacement is extremely important and really a standard procedure; particularly in an institution like the Brigham and Womens.

Let me know how things turned out.