new external defib. PM x2 yrs already


Need some guidance. I have a Metronics PM put in exactly two years ago. No problems......most days I don't even notice it even tho I am almost 100% dependant on it now. Over last few months have noticed significant shortness of breath and some chest discomfort. Was ncharting low O2 rates for reference. Made appt for cardio (tomorrow!) but ended up a 911 fo. chest pain with low oxygen Sats (78-93%) last Tuesday.

My ejection fraction was low at 20% (normal is 50-55%) but when compared to two years ago it had a marked decrease. My EF two years ago was 57%!!! Quite the drop! Diagnosis is heart failure due to recent viral infection to heart. Now I am on two blood pressure meds (Coreg And zestril.) In order to reduce the strain on my heart in the hope it will return to normal function in 90 days

Here's the question part. I was sent home with a Zoll Life Vest that I have to wear for the next 90 days in the hope that my EF returns to normal. Has anyone else here gone thru this? Do you feel it's better to go with an internal one? I am 56 and the hospital's cardio on-call felt I should do an internal option because "ICDs are more risky and tend to break." True?

Helxkwtgp!!!! This thing is a pain in the ruckus!

BTW......these things are $3300/month to rent!

5 Comments

Very Interesting life vest

by donr - 2013-09-30 09:09:14

First I've heard of this thing, but you learn something new in here every day! For the rest of us who have not heard about it, I copied from Wikipedia the following criteria for using this garment. Makes sense after reading this.

From reading the Post, I think the author has a typo in her last sentence - Should the proper word be "External," vice "Internal"?

From what the ICD hosting denizens of this institution report about the reliability & durability of ICD's, I'd opine that the on-call cardio needs to join us & read all the good things we have recorded about the ICD versions.

Grawlix is acceptable in this forum.



Begin paste from Wikipedia:
"The WCD is covered by most health plans in the United States, including commercial, state, and federal plans as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for those patients at high risk of cardiac arrest, including:

@ Primary prevention [Ejection fraction (EF) ≤35% and Myocardial Infarction (MI), Non Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (NICM), or other Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)] including:

@ After recent MI (Coverage during the 40-day ICD waiting period)
@ Before and immediately after CABG or PTCA (Coverage during the 90-day ICD waiting period)
@ Listed for cardiac transplant
@ Recently diagnosed NICM (Coverage during the three-to-nine month ICD waiting period)
@ New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure
@ Terminal disease with life expectancy of less than one year
@ ICD indications when patient condition delays or prohibits ICD implantation
@ ICD explantation"
End paste from Wikipedia.

Don

Hi IdyGal

by fishfighter - 2013-10-01 04:10:40

Things don't sound good for you. I hope today is better. Anyway, on that Viro infection. Myself, I been going thru this for close to three years. I do have a CRT-D that is pacing 100% of the time. Also, I have an IV of Dobutamine going 24/7 that I been on for about 18 months. I been listed for a heart transplant, then taken off, then back on again. My EF is below 20% without the Dobutamine and just at 20% with it.

At this point I'm on a petal were I can go down hill very fast or go up. The biggest thing is fluid build up for me which can swing my weight 3-6 lbs in 24 hours. I'm 6' tall and weight in at 164 and have to watch my weight very close every day.

As far as the vest, I would be all over my Cardo Dr to get an ICD in ASAP!

Best of luck and God Bless, Paul.

Forgot

by fishfighter - 2013-10-01 04:10:55

Coreg, been on it about 3 years. Taking 12 mg, twice a day. I am now having problems with high blood pressure were as before, I never had any problems. Oh well. LOL

...and I did it again.

by IdyGal - 2013-10-13 01:10:32


Nix the "internal."
Meant "external."

Shouldn't be posting at night.
Duh!

what a difference 10 days make!

by IdyGal - 2013-10-13 05:10:09


It's been an interesting couple weeks......

Don...you are correct, I did mean "internal." Was feeling a bit stressed at the time.

Happy to report that I am off the Life Vest and have a new Medtronic Viva Quad XT CRT-D . Felt like I was being defused by a bomb squad! It was my last act before going into the OR. I was happy to be rid of it.

Had the cardio appt Monday (Oct 01) and went in fasting 'just in case.' They added me to the day's surgery schedule and I was in recovery by 9:00 pm.

My concern now is about the issue with my L ventricle. I'm on the low-dose Coreg and Zestril and will have my follow-up echoes starting in 8 weeks. I normally don't have high blood pressure but they want it as low as possible for the heart to heal. Very hopeful that this will be the first step to better cardiac health. My doc said that about 70% of patients improve and I have concerns that I won't be one of them.

Paul...I was so saddened to read your post. You sound upbeat about your situation Not sure how pull that off but I am gently reminded that there are those who don't have the options I have. I hope you all the very best and that you remain as healthy and happy as possible.

Thank both of you so very much for the hand-holding!

You know you're wired when...

Your kids call you Cyborg.

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