PACEMAKER

My dad had a PM fitted June 2009. No other appointments to have it checked, had a cold, chest pains .. doctors said just got a cold ..  He wasn’t feeling well, still taking all the pills given.

18th April 2010 - He passed away in his sleep - he was 62.

999 came and with the monitors, it did not pick up his PM at all.....I have read different things on here about PMs ... how they work and don’t, switch off from a PC. What I would like to know is :
1) - Should my dad have had an appointment not long after it was fitted and regular ones for at least 12 months then yearly appointments?
2) - Dad died peacefully (he was in bed) Do you think the PM stopped working?
3) - Would it have shown on the 999 monitor?
4) - If it should have been working still, why wasn’t it?
5) - If controlled by a PC? could it have been turned off in error?

I am at the coronors inquest in a few days... very scared to be honest.... so if someone, or all, can give me some good advice, much appreciated.
Claire

5 Comments

so sorry

by sarge - 2011-01-11 01:01:39

I am truely sorry to hear this.....I am in no way an expert as I have only had my PM since Nov 2010. What I don't understand is why he would not have been scheduled for follow up appointments? I myself was scheduled for appointments before I left the hospital after having the implant!!! One was with the Cardio Dr and the other was with the Dr that did the implant. Is it possible that your Dad had appontments that he decided not to go to? Just throwing that out there....as I can't even imagine that there wouldn't be a follow up to check the device to insure it was operating correctly. Well anyways best of luck with your quest and I wish you the best.

What a bummer!

by Zia - 2011-01-11 07:01:13

My heart goes out to you in this tragedy. From your "accent" I guess you're in the UK?? I don't know what's routine there, but I had my PM placed here in the US and left the hospital with NO followup appointments scheduled, I had to do all of that myself - another bummer!
I agree with CABG, it's not your fault, and they should be able to get a record of what happened, at least as far as his heart is concerned, from the PM's recording function. I hope you can get the information you need, if not from the doctors, then from the coroner's function.

Wishing you any comfort you can take in this.
ZIA

shut off

by mike thurston - 2011-01-11 10:01:20

Sorry for your Dad passing away. The PM would not shut down on its own unless there was a problem. Definitely a person should be under regular medical follow ups. Every three monthsw is typical with the first appt. after implant probably sooner than that.
Mike T.

sorry you are scared

by jessie - 2011-01-11 11:01:45

none of it seems to be related to him or the family not doing what is right. instead just say at the inquest that there was no follow up appts after the p.m. was put in and then let them do the asking of more questions. good luck. sorry to hear you had to experience this jessie

fiddlebritches

by fiddlebritches - 2011-01-12 09:01:34

I am so sorry for your loss keep your dad in your heart his memory will help you heal. I had a pm in dec in 2010 never did see the surgeon transferd to a bigger city to a new cardio, he rulled out blockage and said he will test my pace maker in 3 months I was suprized there would not be a follow up earlier .

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