Surgery to replace battery
Tue, 08/31/2021 - 11:43AMMy Dad had LVAD surgery 4 years ago, now it's time to replace battery. Has anyone experienced battery replacement and how was the outcome?
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byAdrienne H.
PostedNov 8 2021
Updated1 month 3 weeks ago
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Surgery to replace battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 10:24AMIf I understand the question the surgery would be to replace the battery in his ICD (Pacemaker) which is unrelated to his LVAD. This is an outpatient procedure usually and he should be up and about an hour an hour or two after the procedure. Actually they will replace the whole unit not just the battery. This occurs on average about every 6 or 7 years depending on the individual and is usually a simple procedure. An LVAD has no battery but the LVAD controller does and it is rechargeable.Not sure why it would need to be replaced. I don't think you mean a "pump exchange" which is major surgery.
In reply to Surgery to replace battery by Reiss T.
Suzii P.Lvad battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 12:45PMI agree it must be a pacemaker battery.. If he has implantable battery I'd like to know. For the comment above- do you just have a rechargeable controller with out wearing external lithium batteries? How does thay work? Curious about that
Lvad battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 1:43PMThe backup battery in the controller is replaced by the VAD clinic every few years. The large external batteries that power the pump are replaced every three years. If indeed we are talking about the pacemaker/defibrillator, that is unrelated to the LVAD but is a simple outpatient procedure as others have said. I’m about to have that surgery and the doc told me that the newest thing is that the skin repair that follows the implant is done with glue. Neat!
Lvad battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 1:49PMThere is a battery in the controller that must be replaced by team only, My battery was due to be replaced in 2 weeks,,,,coincidentaley last Fri morning i was woke up with an alarm blaring & a wrench sign & a message 'call hosp.battery failure' 1st time in 9 years this has happened. Usually the battery is replaced every 36 months. So a trip to the clinic was taken,,both controller & back up controller had batteries replaced
Now if its the pacemaker battery yes its an outpatient procedure which ive had done about 4 times since 2004
In reply to Lvad battery by Ronald D.
Juanita P.Battery..
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:00PMRonald what a cluster, it sounds like...I have had my "lanky" LVAD for 5 years now. I noticed the last week now the controller beeps exactly 7:58AM...No alarms, no lights and no display. It shuts off with the light beep after about 5. Then I won't hear it again until the next morning, again at 7:58AM. I already checked history, NOTHING. I would have called coordinators, but they make a huge federal case out of nothing. I feel good, doing good, working out, shooting range, cutting grass, u name it. Blood work prior to appointment, excellent. I'm wondering if it is not the battery in the controller. However, when checking it out, no wrench, no sign, nothing shown on controller, beeps then stops. I have an appoint on Thursday 9th. Can't wait.
Has anyone had this issue?
In reply to Battery.. by Juanita P.
Gene Z.Hi , the time thing 7:58…
Mon, 09/13/2021 - 5:03PMHi , the time thing 7:58 makes it sound like a programing problem. My ICD beeped every day at 11 AM. It actually sounded like a truck backing up. I went into the Dr and they said it was a signal letting me know the battery in the ICD was getting low and I needed to change it. So it was an outpatient appointment, was in the hosp for about 3 hrs. That sucker kicks ass now.
In reply to Hi , the time thing 7:58… by Gene Z.
Juanita P.Battery
Mon, 09/20/2021 - 8:26PMHi Gene, no it was the controller back up battery. Unfortunately, they didn't reset time on it and thenext day beeped again. However, I am also due for ICD battery change scheduled for "9/24/21. That is not what is beeping its he controller. When they hooked up to the main screen it clearly said needs changing, they did, but failed to reset. Therefore, it continues to go off at 7:58AM....mild 8 ring little beep.
In reply to Lvad battery by Ronald D.
Juanita P.Battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:03PMRonald, also I have an appointment on 9/24/21 to replace the huge ICD battery. It hasn't even been 5 years. The ICD was implanted ll/4/16. They all swore 4 diff. second opinions the EF would improve after IDC implanted. Well on 2/16/17 I dropped almost dead for the count. Wrong answer from all "4" Doctors. Obviously none knew what they were talking about. Its medical practice, "practice." Trial and error!!
Battery replacement ?
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 2:37PMHi my husband had both his ICD battery replaced abd the battery in his controller replaced . The ICD replacement went well but he had really bad bruising because of being on blood thinner .
Having the controller battery replaced was very easy . It took literally 5 minutes . They unscrew a few screws and replace it . That’s about good .
Hope all goes well 💜💜
In reply to Battery replacement ? by Melissa A.
Juanita P.Battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:07PMHi Melissa, the ICD is totally diff. from the LVAD. I'm due in this month to replace battery with ICD. Can't wait. Sorry but there is nothing simple with surgery as far as I'm concerned. Just for the record I didn't get 5 years yet. But the hospital made 500,000 implanting the ICD. Good $$$ to be made. Can't wait to see the statement for the battery. Stay tuned. Yes it is outpatient, unless your hospital that treats for the LVAD makes a major deal with blood thinner, etc. Its all about lets make a deal, trust me. I call them out on it.
In reply to Battery by Juanita P.
Melissa A.Talking about controller battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:33PMNo the battery controller replacement is easy literally you go the clinic and the VAD team does it. I think you might be thinking of a controller exchange or a pump exchange . My husband had plastic tape on his driveline going into his body after about 3 years he had the LVAD placed because it frayed . He was not able to have a pump exchange or controller exchange because he contracted MRSA and died about 3 months later so be careful with the driveline . I miss him everyday . 💔💔
In reply to Talking about controller battery by Melissa A.
Juanita P.Battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:41PMMelissa I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Yes I have had the driveline already repaired because i am very active.... This is a soft beep and beeps same time, only once in a day for about the last week... Actually, I am trying praying EF has improved to have this removed. I only take small baby dose of heart strengthener and very active. I'm still, after almost 5 years, not buying this need for the LVAD with me that is. Not saying for anyone else. And again very sorry for the loss of your father.
In reply to Battery replacement ? by Melissa A.
Juanita P.Battery
Mon, 09/06/2021 - 6:09PMMelissa, probably will get bruise because of blood thinners and possible a little pocket of blood. Depends... Please make sure they answer your questions. Take nothing for granted by no means and hold them accountable with providing clarity.
In reply to Battery replacement ? by Melissa A.
Juanita P.Batteries
Mon, 09/27/2021 - 4:49PMMelissa exactly correct...I had both just changed. The ICD incision well, I'm bruised and swollen. They also put an antibiotic pack under skin that last 30 days. The blood thinners, well i have choice words for that. All went well but a real pain being cut again. This battery last 7/10 years....
In reply to Batteries by Juanita P.
Melissa A.Bruising and blood thinners
Mon, 09/27/2021 - 4:59PMBlood thinners are terrible because if the bruising they cause. My husband’s ICD battery only lasted 4 years . His Doctor explained it was probably due to the fact that it went off on his 70th birthday and shocked him over 10 times . That was a mess. He also had to have a balloon pump placed to get him through the weekend so he could have his LVAD surgery. He was a fighter and it sound like you are too 😊
Batteries
Mon, 09/20/2021 - 6:29PMI have had what I think is my controller beep. It sometimes beeps once or twice. On a couple of occasions it beeped maybe 5 times in a row. This happens every couple of weeks or so. It seems random, but I am not sure. It only beeps when I am on battery and never on "shore power". Therefore, I conclude it is battery related. The external batteries I have and the controller are all about 8 months old, so none are slated for replacement at this time. There are no warning alarm messages displayed when it happens. I asked my VAD team and they do not seem to know the cause of it. Needless to say it causes me a lot of distress. Has anyone else had this issue?
In reply to Batteries by Larry C.
Deannie S.Batteries
Mon, 09/20/2021 - 10:24PMMy first time to post on this list, although I just had my 4 year anniversary for the Heartmate III. I have had those occasional beeps and most of the time they don't last long enough to see what the controller is saying. The time or two that I have been able to see the screen, it usually says "connect power". My VAD coordinator said dust or dirt in the battery clips or in the the fastener? that screws on the clip can cause that. So I keep canned air and blow everything out when I get those random beeps. I also blow out the pockets on the charger. I learned you can use a Q-tip lightly moistened with alcohol to clean the contact points. My batteries were replaced last summer so I don't think that is the issue. You may already know and do all of these things but just in case........
Deannie
In reply to Batteries by Larry C.
Thomas T.beeping occurring
Mon, 09/27/2021 - 12:13PMIt may be the terminals on either the battery or battery clip need to be cleaned. Use a cue tip and alcohol to clean terminals. I have done this and solved the problem.
In reply to Batteries by Larry C.
Juanita P.Beeping
Mon, 09/27/2021 - 4:46PMHello Larry and all the LVAD group!! I had my ICD/battery replaced 9/24/21. NO MORE BEEP AT 7:58am. Even though it sounded like it was beeping out of the controller it was actually the ICD, is there a connection, i will find out later how in depth. And to square the record the ICD/entire unit is replaced. The only difference the wires remain to reconnect new unit. When getting your first unit the wires and battery unit go in. When replacing the battery the unit is hooked to existing wires!!