pacemaker download lead noise

[ScoobyDoo71]

I recently had pacemaker routine download, I’ve a dual chamber pacemaker with St Jude leads that have been in for 12 years. Generator changed last year.

At annual download reported that have detected lead noise. When I asked what this is was told it can sometimes indicate issue with the leads. After doing some arm manoeuvres they couldn’t reproduce it.

Been told to go back in 12 months.

my question is……

Is anyone familiar with pacemaker lead noise?

Has anyone had issues with St Jude leads ? I know there were manufacturing alerts re these type of leads a while ago.

Does anyone else find it’s like getting blood out of a stone trying to get information about what pacemaker has detected between appointments?

even my GP letter only says pacemaker checked it never mentions the runs of SVT I may have had or battery length left etc

Thanks

[Goldstar45]

Hi there Regarding pace maker lead noise I have a biventriculator ICD which developed lead noise which I was told would be monitored, however with in a month my defibrillator fired one evening and I was taken to A&E and it continued to fire 10 times in all before anyone was found to turn it off. So if your device contains a defibrillator I would insist on more checks because its not a very pleasant experience when the defibrillator fires and also prematurely depletes the battery. Hope you get it sorted.

[ScoobyDoo71 in reply to Goldstar45]

Hi Goldstar45, thanks for the reply. That sounds really traumatic for you, I hope things settled and sorted quickly.

Mine isn’t an ICD just a standard 2 lead dual chamber pacemaker. I think It was just that I’ve never had mention of pacemaker lead noise in 12 years since leads went in. Wondering what has caused it now.

Most of the time I forget it’s in but when anything even slightly unexpected is found it makes you realise the enormity of dependence on technology to keep you healthy and that can be a scary thought at times.