Heart Block

I have been with a St. Jude 2210, 2 lead PM since 2012. I had quintuple CABG in 2009. I have always been prompt with my Cardio visits/appts. Everything is good, I guess. My general question is:

I had a PM installed due to "heart block" (signal going from top to bottom/ atrium to ventricle) Is it possible the the scaring of the quintuple CABG caused the heart block? I mean, scar tissue would inhibit or even interrupt the electrical signals of the heart? I have been reading up on this problem, but am unable to find solid evidence of this. Anybody have any thoughts?

4 Comments

Could Be...?

by PJinSC - 2015-04-12 04:04:15

Since I do not know what a CABG is, I can't comment on that, but having gone through two failed ablations, I know that the ablation process is intended to deliberately create scar tissue that is intended to block the electrical signals coming from the veins entering the atria. My second EP told me that he had a hard time with my signals because they were going in a "figure 8" around the first ablation scars. Ended up with an AV node ablation that essentially cut my heart in half and a three-lead CRT-P. Cause and effect. However, it is milk spilled under the bridge (?) and can't go back and I am alive and kicking whereas I was alive but not kicking very much, if you know what I mean. If you are doing well in the present, why dwell on the past, unless you are looking for some sort of litigation?

Good Luck and Good Life, PJ.

maybe

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-12 09:04:37

Yes, it's possible to end up with heart block from damage and/or scar tissue from surgeries and ablations.

CABG

by revelation - 2015-04-12 11:04:50

A CABG means coronary artery bypass graft. In other words, that means bypass surgery.

Look at the heart's anatomy...

by donr - 2015-04-14 07:04:13

...for where the electrical conduction paths are & where the arteries are.

Generally speaking, the electrical conduction paths are on or near the interior surfaces of the heart & where the blockages take place, nearer the top of the heart.

The heart's own blood supply is located on the outer surface of the heart & extends from the top all the way to the bottom.

FIVE CABG's (Bypasses) is an unusually large number of them for any individual.

Looking at your question from purely a logical standpoint, they were not performed near the electrical conduction pathways involved in a "Block." Therefore, it would be a rather rare occurrence for the CABG's to cause a scar tissue that could cause an electrical block. Were there a close correlation between the two procedures, you would find a lot more PM Hosts who have had CABG's. Just from reading members' bios, I do not see a lot of correlation.

Now, all that being said - how about telling us more details about the type block you have AND exactly where they had to perform these 5 grafts. That will allow a better guess as to what may be cause & what may be effect.

Why not ask your cardio this question & see what his/her guess is? In determining the cause of electrical problems of the heart, the pros guess a lot, also, since most of them cannot be ascribed to any unequivocal cause.

Donr




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