Shortly after I had my pacemaker implant, 6 months ago, I noticed a couple
of "bumps" at the edge of the incision. My cardiologist says that
although the lead wire was the shortest available, it is too long for me
(odd, because I’m not a small person); and that it had to be looped. The
loop has popped out of the pocket and I can see the bumps. He says there
is no danger of it eroding, but that perhaps I should have a plastic
surgeon redo the pocket and situate it better. My feeling is that if
it is not dangerous, I should leave it alone. Has anyone else had this
experience? Is this a potentially dangerous situation? Should I go to
the plastic surgeon? Anita
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adre…@tcs.itis.com wrote:
> Shortly after I had my pacemaker implant, 6 months ago, I noticed a couple
> of "bumps" at the edge of the incision. My cardiologist says that
> although the lead wire was the shortest available, it is too long for me
> (odd, because I’m not a small person); and that it had to be looped. The
> loop has popped out of the pocket and I can see the bumps. He says there
> is no danger of it eroding, but that perhaps I should have a plastic
> surgeon redo the pocket and situate it better. My feeling is that if
> it is not dangerous, I should leave it alone. Has anyone else had this
> experience? Is this a potentially dangerous situation? Should I go to
> the plastic surgeon? Anita
> ——————-==== Posted via Deja News ====———————–
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
I think I’d look for a new cardiologist before looking for a plastic
surgeon.
In article <331A6E9D.3…@worldnet.att.net>, "SCDp…@worldnet.att.net" <SCDp…@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>adre…@tcs.itis.com wrote:
>> Shortly after I had my pacemaker implant, 6 months ago, I noticed a couple
>> of "bumps" at the edge of the incision. My cardiologist says that
>> although the lead wire was the shortest available, it is too long for me
>> (odd, because I’m not a small person); and that it had to be looped. The
>> loop has popped out of the pocket and I can see the bumps. He says there
>> is no danger of it eroding, but that perhaps I should have a plastic
>> surgeon redo the pocket and situate it better. My feeling is that if
>> it is not dangerous, I should leave it alone. Has anyone else had this
>> experience? Is this a potentially dangerous situation? Should I go to
>> the plastic surgeon? Anita
>> ——————-==== Posted via Deja News ====———————–
>> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
>I think I’d look for a new cardiologist before looking for a plastic
>surgeon.
I agree. Almost all pacemaker implants have some amount of lead coiled under
the pacemaker. Frequently, a portion of this wire can be felt or seen through
the skin. It is VERY rare for this to cause complications.
Your cardiologist is right when he says the lead is looped in the pocket.
We typically use a single length of pacemaker lead for every patient and
this lead is long. It’s not possible to accurately predict how long a
lead a particular patient will need until the lead is placed in the heart
– so it’s better to be too long than too short! If the lead is not a
major problem in terms of comfort, leave it alone. What you describe is
perfectly normal. Some discomfort may always be present, especially as
you move, sleep on that side, or use a shoulder harness in your car.
E-mail me if you need more info.
hankpan…@aol.com