paced pacemaker being used 90%

hi my son is 4 and has had his pacemaker since birth .recently I've been checking him and have counted his rate in the 60 and 70 and den a min or two later it will be back to his paced rhythm of 85 etc .Just wondering if this a sign his battery is depleting or am I and my finger pulse machine just totally off .tia suzanne

5 Comments

not the battery

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-09 07:08:33

He should get more than 4 years from a battery so it's probably not that. And that's not how low battery would manifest. They are fully functional up until the last 3 months. You theoretically will get plenty of notice when it's getting close. When they go into battery conservation mode at the very end, they pace at a steady rate, usually 60. Most of us have them replaced before that happens.

It is possible the monitor is inaccurate. When in doubt, count manually rather than using a machine. Or call your dr and ask to have him checked. 85 seems kind of high for a base rate but I don't know much about kids so who knows.

Have you been told to check him often? JMHO, but unless you see signs he doesn't feel well or if you've been told to keep an eye on it, I would let it go and trust the pm to keep him safe. All of us check a lot when they're new but it's usually unnecessary and causes unnecessary worry.

Base rate may need changing

by Pacemum - 2014-08-09 09:08:15

If you sons base rate is 85 it may be a little high for a boy of his age therefore the pacemaker may be kicking in more than necessary. At next appointment it may be wise to discuss if this needs to be lowered slightly. It is worth remembering that children's normal heart rate ranges reduce naturally as they get older until they reach the usual adult ranges and that their pacemakers need reprogramming accordingly.

paced pacemaker being used 90%

by suzie14/7 - 2014-08-10 04:08:13

hi thanks guys for your help yes I also think 85 is quiet a high base but from birth he was paced at 100 so he gradually has been coming down ....but yes I know the battery should last longer but originally we were told two years old as he is totally reliant on his pacemaker because of his condition so they reckon it should need replacing now by the time he is 5 if not before ....Thanks for your guys anyway ...suzanne

Rates

by Pacemum - 2014-08-10 06:08:58

As Tracey said you should get at least five years from the battery. My daughters first lasted seven and a half years and her second lasted five and a half years. She is 100% ventricular paced.

I know that what is right for each child is different but for comparison these are what my daughters base rates were set at

Age 3 years 80
Age 6 years 75
Age 8 years 60
She remains at 60 at 14

timing

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-10 08:08:19

They can tell right away when they check it approximately how much time is left,

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