A-fib in short, intense bursts

Anyone else have this issue and what is your doc saying about it.

While they didn't pick it up when they had me in the hospital originally and they are thinking it may have been something that has developed since the pacer was put in my pacer tech saw where I am having very intense but very short episodes of a-fib. Very short meaning none have ever lasted longer than a minute and most are less than 10 seconds but very intense meaning some have been clocked at close to 300 bpm. Right now they are just watching it since they are such short duration and apparently a-fib is a possibility with SSS but was wondering if anyone else has this and what their docs have said about it. Especially people who may be experiencing these short but intense bursts.

7 Comments

One more thing

by COBradyBunch - 2009-12-11 11:12:16

When I went in yesterday the NP also found a murmur (class 1 on a scale of one to six) that had never been found before. She called it a little squeak and nothing more. Anyone else have a murmur pop up post implant?

Your little squeak

by lenora - 2009-12-12 12:12:13

I've never heard a grade I murmur called a squeak before. All murmurs sound like water running through a hose pipe, the higher grade the murmur is the louder it sounds. I've been able to hear a few grade 6's without touching my stethoscope to the patient. Usually skinny folks though. Your doctor must not think your squeak is too significant or she'd order an echocardiogram to check for a leaky valve, etc. You don't want to be leaky and squeaky!

murmur

by heidi reds - 2009-12-13 10:12:45

from what I understand the "leads" (wires that go from the pacemaker to the heart ) go through the valves and because they go through the valves the valves don't close as tightly as they did before you got your pacemaker and that is why you have a murmur. if that makes sense?
as for the short a-fib do you have ATP capability in your pacemaker? this is Anti-Tachy Pacing. I have it - it just means that if my heart rate gets too high for too long ( I think one minute) then the pacemaker paces me at a higher rate for a few minutes to "break" the tachycardia. it has 3 algorithms. the first and second algorithm are pacing and the third I think is a shocking algorithm. I have had the ATP feature since 2004 I have frequent arrhythmias and have never had it go to the second or third algorithm. I hope that this helps. Heidi

Afib in short intense burst

by Vai - 2009-12-13 12:12:13

Hi
You said it right - those short intense burst of rapid heart beats is afib or flutter. Though intense, as long as it is short in duration and you don't feel it, there is not much that needs to be done & the doctors would just monitor it. However my doc put me on aspirin, as a blood thinner for protection from blood clots/ potential stroke.
Thanks to Heidi who explained the ATP function in the PM. Probably the PM had intervene and interrupted/ "broken" up the arrythmia before it degenerated into a full scale episode. I have this same functionality in my PM.
Regards, Vai

thanks

by COBradyBunch - 2009-12-14 01:12:31

I have taken an 81 mg aspirin for years, long before I had any problems that required the pacemaker so I was a long step ahead.

As for the squeak, that is what the NP said she heard. She likened it to a rocking chair squeak. Said on a scale of 1-6 it is barely a 1 but something they will continue to monitor. Still makes sense to me that if there is something with the lead going through there it could create some leakage.

Since my afib isn't creating any other issues they have decided to just leave it alone for now. I will remember the ATP function for the future if I need it. Right now my heart resolves the issue itself, usually within seconds.

I did have one person write back to me privately to tell me if the lead is interfering with the valve this could cause afib episodes. Trying to find out more about that. Unfortunately the only way to confirm that is with an echo and right now my doc, and I, don't see a reason for that. Will see in a few months when I go in for my next check

Thanks everyone for all the great info.

Maybe I will give my doc a call back.

by COBradyBunch - 2009-12-14 01:12:54

Just found this article...

ABSTRACT

A 23-year-old woman developed 3° AV block with syncope. Insertion of a permanent pacemaker lead was followed by the onset of a persistent murmur in late systole preceded by single or multiple clicks. The murmur was best heard at the left sternal edge, grade 3–4/6 with two major frequencies (60–250 Hz), increased with inspiration and on assuming the erect posture. It was considered to be tricuspid in origin and related to interference of the tricuspid valve apparatus by the pacemaker lead resulting in tricuspid regurgitation. No tricuspid valve prolapse or flutter was seen on echocardiography. Withdrawal of the pacemaker lead resulted in immediate disappearance of the new auscultatory findings. Review of the literature suggests that the appearance of such a murmur following pacemaker insertion could be associated with later complications in relation to tricuspid valve dysfunction. It is therefore recommended that, under these circumstances, permanent pacemaker leads should be appropriately repositioned.

And another one...

by COBradyBunch - 2009-12-14 02:12:58

ABSTRACT

Tricuspid valve injury is a rare complication of transvenous pacemaker placement, We report such an injury in an elderly patient with cardiac amyloidosis. Because serious complications may result from such an injury, tricuspid valve perforation should be considered, along with the more common causes of new murmurs, in patients with pacemakers.

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

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