Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Settings and adjustments for arrhythmias

I have a Medtronic Ensura dual chamber pacemaker for tachycardia/bradycardia syndrome (implanted in 2018).  A few days ago I returned to my clinic and they looked at NCAP (non competitive atrial pacing) and APP (atrial preference pacing). 

I was told NCAP helps prevent atrial tachy arrhythmias by avoiding (delaying) pacing after a premature atrial contraction (PAC)

whereas

APP

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CRT-D adjustments today and update

I saw my EP today and he was happy to adjust my lower rate from 60 to 70 on my CRT-D.  He also adjusted the rate response to make it more sensitive so I hope my heart rate will respond to a higher rate than 70 when walking or climbing stairs.  I will get the device checked in 6 weeks on one of his patient days and he will look at the adjustments with me.  He told me to call the office if I am feeling worse.  I have had no ventricular arrhythmias, but lots of non-susta...

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Built in settings turned off

Posted a little while ago re new PM making me feel worse especially when exercising. 
After some advice from Biotronik a couple of pre programmed settings have been turned off. 
As I get some AT I'm slightly limited in upper rate and tracking. The new device was putting me into 2:1 block when I hit 120 bpm and also seemed to be self adjusting at random times. It does a self check at midnight which I feel if awake. 
so it's wait and see how I go, if no rea...

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Biotronik Rate Response (Acclerometer) vs. CLS (Closed Loop Stimulation)

I asked a question in another post about bumpy roads affecting my Biotronik pm.  I was confused about the difference between the Biotronik CLS setting and the rate response setting.  Penguin provided a link that explained a lot.  Adding here in case anyone else may find it helpful.  It seems especially relevant to those like me who exercise a lot.  Looks like there are a lot of previous posts about having difficulties getting the settings right and it may be because t...

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nightly checks

Biotronik Pacemaker placed 1/18/23 after botched ablation for SVT. 100% ventricular pacing. Last night around 11:20 I felt a quick buzz at the pm site and then several minutes of weird heart rate changes. Is this something I will feel every night if I'm awake when it happens? I got no information about what to expect at hospital discharge.  

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Medtronic Azure Settings - Advice Please

I've been looking up the settings which the Medtronic Azure offers on the manual which Gemita kindly posted on another thread and found the following which I need to ask some Qs about: 

MVP

The sales blurb mentions Updated MVP.  Could anyone explain to me how MVP works to manage VP and how it may have been improved? 

Tachyarrhythmia Detection

I also noted Tachyarrhythmia detection parameters listed as follows: <...

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Closed Loop Stimulation

Has anyone got any feedback / advice on the effectiveness  'Closed Loop Stimulation'  - Biotronik's rate response algorithm? 

Thank you for any replies.

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Appointment today with new EP to discuss way forward with my arrhythmias

Hello everyone,

A signalling failure delayed and cancelled train services into London this morning, so a difficult start waiting on a freezing cold platform.  But I wasn’t late because when I got to the clinic it was still teaming with patients.  It was supposed to be a morning clinic and I was seen at 2.30 pm.

Although rushed, my appointment went well.  I liked my new EP although I sensed quickly he didn’t really want to be too aggressive with my arrhyt...

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Abbott / St Jude Assurity Pacemaker - A.Cap Confirm Setting

Wondering if anyone can add any detail to my basic knowledge of the Automatic.Atrial Capture Confirm (A.Cap Confirm) setting on the Abbott Assurity Pacemaker? (There is also an automatic ventricular capture setting - I forget the name of it - but this is not programmed. Not sure why. I receive less than 5% vp.)

I have found an online explanation of the setting - but it's complicated. I've grasped bits of it and worked out others, but I particularly need to know a)...

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Should my lower rate be increased?

I (in my mid-60's) have had my BS dual lead PM for just over 7 years now, with the lower rate set at 50. This level was chosen as it had been my normal resting rate for all of my adult life. FYI - had to have PM due to brady/chrono incompetence following a hiatal hernia/fundo surgery.

About 2 years ago I was feeling more tired/fatigued. GP found my B-12 levels were very low, had injections + supplements. While it helped a little still had symptoms. Then foudn I was significantl...

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This forum rocks (again!)

Once again, I have to thank the knowledgeable folks here for making sure I am ahead of what my doctor tells me. I just had my 6 mo check-in with my cardiologist. I had seen my pacemaker reports when they posted in my test results, so I knew that there had been no events recorded, but there was something I thought I'd better mention. I have been noticing, especially during rest, that I sometimes get that fluttery feeling that I associate with afib. My cardio, for the first time in my exper...

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Battery replacement pacemaker changeout

I live 9,000 miles from my rythem specialaist, and cardiologist. Once I am ready for a battery change, I will travel back to the US. I also have a leaking Mitral valve that is knocking the shxx out of me, causing oxygen deprivation. I will have both attended to upon my return. I cannot afford the thousands of dollars to go back & forth. I go to Makati Medical Ctr in Manila once every 6 months, and have been trackingt my battery charge closely. I was told originally that the batteries woul...

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Appointments

Hello Gemita,

First, good luck with everything❤️ All over the world is the same situation,regarding any appointments (sadly)⁉️  What works well for me is that I bring my husband with me....suddenly there's time to discuss all concerning issue in length....quite annoying, but hey 👋🏻 it's working💝 ....

 

 

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New EP appointment

Hello everyone,

Well I have finally got my EP appointment coming up on the 16th January.  Haven’t seen an EP since before Covid although I have had a few telephone consults, but they are not quite the same, are they.  I have been referred back to my EP to discuss my atrial tachy arrhythmias and where to go from here?

I will be seeing a new EP, since my old one has now retired, so it will be an opportunity to start afresh.  I hope we will like each other and th...

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Nightly remote checks

Good evening all, I've had the pacemaker since September 2022 and every night the pacemaker  runs a check at 1230. The last 3 nights the tests have completely stopped is this something to be worried about please? I pace 1% in the first 3 months. 

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RV Lead Pacing Percentage increased from 26.6% to 96.9%. Is this normal?

Hello Everyone,

I had a pacemaker implanted about 4 weeks ago. I am new to pacemaker and still getting used it to.

Today, I had a pacing test and the report shows RV Lead Pacing Percentage 96.6% which was 26.6% 6 days ago. 
Is this normal?

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

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Recent Experience with Accolade RightRate Minute Ventilation settings

I have a BS Accolade L331 PM. I am a biker, so I need the Minute Ventilation feature to function well for me. I am going to meet with my EP, his technical people and a rep.from Boston Scientific on Jan.13, 2023. They will adjust the PM and then put me on a bicycle stress test device to see if their settings are any good. We may have to go around a few times to get it right.

I am looking for other bikers experiences with Minute Ventilation. What settings did you end up with Response...

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Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardia

In September this year my cardiologist/EP diagnosed me as having PVC induced PMT.  The St. Jude/Abbott rep was called in and she changed a setting with my pacemaker and all was right with my world again!  Plus most of my severe fatigue issues were resolved... a most appreciated benefit.  

Just in the past couple of days I have been experiencing arrhythmia, mostly fluttering.  Before I get too concerned I wonder if any of you have this issue and could it simply r...

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Sensed AV Delay

Hi 

Just wondering if anyone might have any idea as to why a 'sensed' AV delay might be programmed longer than a 'paced' AV delay and what effect this might have?  I've always had the reverse programmed e.g. the sensed AVD value is always less than the paced AVD - seems odd! 

Also re: length of AVD. Is 350 msecs a long or average AVD to prevent v.pacing for 1st degree AVB? 

Many thanks 

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11:11 p.m.

Got my Biotronik PM implanted in Feb. '22.  Set at 60/130.  Going well.   However in the past 2-3 weeks I've noticed something I hadn't before.  Perhaps this was happening and I just didn't notice.  In any case, as I'm lying in bed at night at 11:11 (give or take a minute) my heart rate suddenly speeds up and I can feel it pounding.  Only lasts about 20 seconds at most, then drops back to normal.  Past couple of nights...

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