Syncope and Biotronik

OK folks....
who out there has a Biotronik pacemaker that managers their syncope with its awesome CLS algorithm?

I'm symptom free since they put mine in 6 months ago.

But I may need to be considering leaving Chicago for work.

So I'm curious... what hospitals have people had a Biotronik implanted for the purposes of Syncope?

(Cause most ERs/EMTs/Medics/Cardios/etc look at me like I have 3 heads when i try to explain the CLS to them and that im ok, its just my pacemaker thats got me at 120 to keep me consious)


Thanks!!
Looking for Cities, Hospitals, and Docs Names if possible!!

thank you!!

5 Comments

biotroik

by kat97 - 2013-01-03 10:01:52

I am scheduled to get my 1st pm and its the one you have I live in fl flying up to ohio to world renown dr to have it implanted they can read it at my drs office down here so you can probably find a dr where you are going. What can you tell me about the device and procedure? I flatline.

Special situation

by JustKrs - 2013-01-05 10:01:09

Using the Biotronik Evia for folks iwth Syncope is a rare and special situation. Theres only a few hospitals doing it.

Usually I have to explain how it works and why my EKG looks like it does to medical professionalls.

So I was just hoping maybe someone else had a Biotronik Evia with the CLS for syncope and could recommend docs elsewhere.


My company allowes me to work from anywhere in the country. And I have friend in many places. So really the medical capability of a doc that can monitor and edit settings on this thing would have to be a priority in moving.

kat97

by JustKrs - 2013-01-05 10:01:53

Kat once they got mine tweaked up right.. its AWESSOME

I haven't blacked out once in the 7 months i've had it.

I came close once.. but i hadn't eaten, had been awake for over 30 hours, and was crashing emotionally after an emergency. And even then... i didn't go fully out, just felt the symptoms and we got to see the pacemker kick in and do its job.

It's great! I've been told we will continue to adjust a few things as I start to get more active and drop weight and start playing sports. I also have home monitoring so my doc sees any episodes the very next morning.

Toledo ohio

by kat97 - 2013-01-06 08:01:28

Thanks JustKrs.. Im scheduled jan 23 i live in fl but going to Toledo to have it done. any thing I should know or ask? Whats recovery time?

things to ask/etc

by JustKrs - 2013-01-07 01:01:53

Your surgeon will tell you where they decide to place the device.... there's a few options. For most people it goes on your own left side somewhere between the collarbone and the breast.
For me, they actually had to go back in a few months later and move it higher closer to the collarbone so it would sit between and the scar tissue would really "knit" it into place. Once they did that it's been great. I don't even remember its there most of the time!!!

Your surgeon will also tell you how they are going to handle you being conscious or not. I had what they call conscious sedation. Meaning that I think I basically slept through most of the procedure and I don't remember a thing (i also slept through most of the afternoon and don't really remember anything till about 4pm.. but *shrugs*)


Afterwards you'll have a sling on. Basically its cause the thing is so close to your shoulder they dont want you pulling all the muscles and tendons and everything in that area for a couple of days.
Your specific doc will tell you how many days to wear the sling. Some of it varies doc to doc and some of it varies based on where they placed it and what muscles/tendons its closest to and or attached to.
The first time i just wore mine for 24 hours.
The second time, when they had to move it (which is called a pocket revision) i wore mine for 5 days.

Your doc will also tell you what your restrictions are.....
when you can work out... how hard... etc.
MOST docs will say you can do whatever you want right away EXCEPT you cant lift that arm higher than your shoulder and you cant lift any weight in that arm. That restriction is usually 6 weeks.

if you are female find a couple of REALLY good comfy bras. The weight of your chest WILL pull on your incision and it will not only HURT, but it will also mean youd have a larger scar cause the skin is pulled apart. Wear one 24/7 even to bed.. its worth it.

Some people are fine right away, and bouncing back to work on day 2.
me... my body needed a solid week in bed. So a friend came and stayed with me and worked from my place and helped me out with things and made sure i ate and stuff.

It's not all that painful. Mostly it just depends on how your body handles surgery and a foreign object. My body has always been on the slow side with such things... so it took me longer to adjust.

But now... like 7 months post the first surgery.. im TOTALLY glad i did it.
I dont take ANY meds for this anymore (used to be on midodrine and fludro and the whole set), i dont have to have high salt anymore, I dont have to drink 5 liters of water a day anymore.
I dont have to worry ill fall over anytime i stand up.

For me its been great. They have adjusted my settings once or twice, but only minor htings.

They say that once i get back in shape now that I can do things again... that we may change more settings down the road. But for now.. its AWESOME!




oh....... 2 things i would ask....
if you are getting this for Syncope then theres 2 numbers that are important...

a) what is the lower limit. in other words if you heart goes SUPER slow at what pulse rate would it kick in to keep you at a minimum of x. Mine if 50. So my heart rate will never get below 50 again.


B) what is the CLS algorithm pulse speed.
The way the CLS works... if your cardiac numbers change really quickly.. like your pulse drops fast, or your cardiac impedence drops fast.... then it knows your probably pre-syncopal and so it jumps your heart rate to a specific higher rate... basically in order to keep enough blood pumping to your head to keep you consious.
It's good to know what that higher rate is.
Mine is 120.


It's good to know what those 2 numbers are cause there will be times when you get picked up by some EMT and they cant for the life of them figure out why you have symptoms but your pulse is 120. So its good for you to know to be able to explain.. my pacer is trained to jump to 120 when i have symptoms. Please treat me as though im pre-syncopal.

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You take technology to heart.

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