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Biventricular Pacing
So this past year I have been going to the cardiologist about every 6 months. He thinks I should have a biventricular pacemaker. I have been paced 100% of the time since I was two weeks old. I have heart block not complete though because I have an underlying beat of 42 bpm. But over the past 6 months my ejection fraction (EF) has been going down. A normal one should be between 55-70% and mine is currently at 44% and going down about 4% every 5-6 months. The reasoning for this is that because I have been paced for so long that its causing my heart to become weaker and my ejection fraction to decrease. This coming Tuesday I'm supposed to go to an EP and I think he is supposed to verify if I qualify for this particular device. The question I have is this I have two years about left for the battery of the pacemaker I have now. The cardiologist I have now says that it can't wait two years, but the cardiologist I had before who I only stopped going to because the insurance I have is no longer accepted by him said that it could wait until I'd drained the battery of the pacemaker right now. I want to know would it be better to wait or to go ahead and just get it replaced as soon as I qualify? This would be my 5th pacemaker in 20 years and I'm only 20 right now, well 21 if you round up.
8 Comments
Decreasing E.F.
by J.B. - 2009-06-09 05:06:23
If it were me an increase in my ejection fraction and the benefits it would bring would be more important than wasting a couple of years remaining on a pacemaker batter. At the ripe old age of 20-21 you don't need to be going around with a low EF when it can be increased by changing out a PM
I'm sure you know that a low EF means that some parts of the body (including your heart) may not be getting the blood flow in a particular situation that it needs, or your heart is having to work harder than it should to have the blood flow as high as it needs to be.
Anyway, at the rate thing things are increasing in cost the cost of a 3 lead PM today versus what a 3 lead unit will cost in 2 years may make throwing away two years of battery life on your two lead PM a bargain.
Good luck,
J.B.
biventricular pacing.
by dottodot - 2009-06-09 08:06:22
there's more data out there about the benefits of biventricular pacing in those persons who are paced through the ventricle 100% of the time. You're very young and you want your ejection fraction to remain in the normal range as you have a lot of years to live. The benefits of this probably outweigh the negatives by far. Good luck.
????????
by pete - 2009-06-10 02:06:20
I am 100% biventricular paced with an AV node ablation. I dont think you need to have urgent attention but you must continue to monitor your EF. Get the new pacemaker before your EF reachs 35%. Lack of blood flow effects evert bodily function from your ability to think straight to kidney function. It does look to me that you should not wait until the battery has reached its end of useable safe life. 2 years will probably get you into trouble so you need to think about having a new pacemaker within the next 12 months. If my doctor was willing to change it right away and was willing to do so , I personally would take his advice and go for it. Most patients who recieve biventricular pacing benefit enormously. Particularly if they have an AV node ablation as well . You have youth on your side. Good luck. Peter
low EF %
by alohapumbaa - 2009-06-10 08:06:10
Aloha! I am not an expert, just a month into having a pacemaker, my EF was in the 30% when a small leak in my mitral valve was found to have a huge effect on my heart function. Technically it should not have caused the problems it did, one "door" of my valve didn't shut all the way, but when a little C shaped wire was installed, my EF went up to 50%! Now I can say I have a monogrammed heart! (my last name is Chester) I am sure you've had a recent echo and angiogram, press your cardiologist for any heart structure abnormalities. Best wishes to finding an answer! Mary Ann
BI-V
by papaknight - 2009-11-22 10:11:21
I had a BI-V device implanted last month, less than a year since I had a failed ICD replaced. If your doctor says you need the device, your insurance must pay for it [sometimes after a battle]. My EF is less than 25% but within 24 hours of having the BI-V implanted I noticed a definate improvement in blood flow to my extremities. If I had my way, everyone would have to go to the Cleveland Clinic or one of the big hospitals that specialise in this kind of work. i hope it works out well for you.
Papa Knight
Bi-v
by sereimund - 2010-07-01 01:07:35
I wound up seeing an electro physicologist and he said my ejection fraction was normal for someone who had been paced 24-7 for their whole life...now its just waiting for the battery to be done and replacing it with the Bi-V then.
You know you're wired when...
Your heart beats like a teenager in love.
Member Quotes
I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.
corrections
by sereimund - 2009-06-09 05:06:12
sorry I type to fast the past 2 years I've been going to the cardiologist every 6 months rather than my normal once a year, and my EF has gone down 4% ever 6 months for the past year.