Pacing Wires: Hi Guys I wonder if any... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,282 members33,964 posts

Pacing Wires

Ferrari10 profile image
13 Replies

Hi Guys

I wonder if any of you have had issues with retained pacing wires after CABG? Today I have had sharp pain at the site where my pacing wires were cut flush to me skin just before discharge from the hospital. The pain gets worse when I bend. I get this pain from time to time but not always. My op was nearly 5 months ago. I can feel something under the skin around the area where it was cut which itself is close to the wound from one of the drains. There is no swelling as such. Reading up on the subject it seems removal of the wires is the normal process? I wonder why they didn’t remove them?

Cheers

Written by
Ferrari10 profile image
Ferrari10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
080311 profile image
080311

Hi, my pacing wires were removed, maybe you should speak to your GP or your cardiac nurse. If you have pain it needs to be checked out.

Gail1967 profile image
Gail1967

Mine too were removed completely so I would suggest a visit to GP

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Mine were removed before I left HDU. The nurses could not remove one so a surgeon had to come and do it - fair took my breath away! 😮

As suggested see your GP. Pain may indicate a minor infection that needs dealing with.

road2ruin profile image
road2ruin

Also mine were completely removed not cut, that doesn't sound right! It could be scar tissue pain your are experiencing.

Ferrari10 profile image
Ferrari10 in reply toroad2ruin

Hi

Seems I am the odd one out. Had my CABG at Royal Brompton. They told me cutting wires was normal??

Amkazar profile image
Amkazar

Had three of my four pacing wires removed after hear transplant three years ago. One was not removed, my surgeon came and took a look said to cut and leave it in place. He said if there was any pain they could remove it later with a minor operation. Didn't want to pull too hard in case it caused internal bleeding coming out. I can say I've not had a twinge from it since.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

I had a real good dose of Gas & Air whilst they removed mine it did hurt a little but not unbearable !!!

Regards

whiststev profile image
whiststev in reply toPrada47

Hi , I have 2 pacing wires left In confirmed by an X-ray which had prior to an MRI scan which I couldn’t have due them being left in , but I’ve had no problems with them..

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply towhiststev

Hello

Just wondering why the pacing wires would prevent an MRI they carry them out when you have the wires holding the Sternum together. I have a bit of metal embedded from a work accident. Chisel head was a mushroom and a bit flew off !!! they pick it up on an MRI but has never caused a problem.

Regards

whiststev profile image
whiststev in reply toPrada47

Hi, the staff said it couldn’t be preformed due to the wires made of different type of metal than the sternum wire which is ok for mri scanning.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply towhiststev

I wasn't questioning you

I was wondering why, which you have explained thanks for that.

Regards

whiststev profile image
whiststev in reply toPrada47

Your welcome

S11m profile image
S11m

I have not had CABG, but my atrial pacing lead was out of position when they wanted to use it - they said that removing it would have a 1 in 200 fatality risk.

When they fitted a new pacemaker they fitted and additional lead.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

pacing wires

anyone had pacing wires poking up under the skin , I had one that came out completely and now I’ve...
Lawnmower22 profile image

Retained pacing wires

I understand most people having CABG or valve surgery these days have pacing wires connected in...
G0dfather profile image

Pacing wires

Hello , I am due to have a MRI scan of the heart and still have the pacing wires left in from my...
whiststev profile image

Three months post bypass operation, question on retained pacing wire.

Hi I had a double heart bypass in June and routinely as part of the operation temporary pacing...
Evans123 profile image

Bypass wires

Hi All, Hope everyone okay. Been sometime since I posted, now 7 months post double bypass op and...
Maxijazz1 profile image

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.