Anyone had a Biotronic pacemaker?

Hello all, I am a newcomer here who had his first PM
implanted two days ago. I am quite amazed that I came home the next day with no wound pain at all. It is fitted just under the skin, and I understand it is set to pace at 60 in the night, when I had the main problem of very low pulse rate and 3 second gaps. They have supplied a CardioMessenger for night monitoring as well, the data is sent to the doctor who is able to ask me to call him via a mobile network which causes a light to blink in the device.
Waiting to see how it all works out, impressive so far! It is a German make, Biotronic, I wondered if any members have this type of device.

normy

4 Comments

I have a Biotronik

by Mary1998 - 2012-07-05 03:07:45

but not the cardio messenger model. This is my 3rd PM. I had a rough time when they first inserted it. They had to remove it and insert it from the right side with new wiring. I feel okay after the second surgery, but still am not fully understanding what went wrong in my body after the first insert surgery.

I'm a bit uneasy about it because of the month of issues I had. However I'm sure I'll settle down after I have my second opinion appointment.

Best to you - also glad to hear our docs think this one is a GREAT PM!

me too!

by JustKrs - 2012-07-05 04:07:40

I got my Biotronik Evia April 30, 2012.
I've been symptom free since they put it in and I'm loving life!

Thanks Carol and Mary 1998

by normy - 2012-07-05 05:07:06

Very reassuring that this is a great PM, and I didn't know about the ethics debate of programming through the transmitter, and the ability to do so. Mine also sits by my bed at night and transmits data.

The only follow-up with the technician for settings changes, if necessary, is after a month, but the cardiac lab did say I could call them if I had problems. All seems fine so far.

It seems that we all heal differently, and I don't know how far the skill and experience of the surgeon has an effect on later wound or other problems. There were five surgeons in the cardiac team, and as it happened the one available for my op had a good reputation and had done hundreds of implants.
Waiting for it to settle down and to start driving again, all the best to you both.

normy






















Biotronik

by cohara - 2012-07-05 12:07:58

I have had a Biotronik Evia DRT since November 2010. The company has an excellent reputation. The monitor you were given (mine sits by my bed and transmits data from my pacemaker every night) is able to pull the same information that the tech would access during an interrogation in the doctor's office. The technology exists to program the pacemaker through the transmitter, but they are still considering the ethics of doing this. Until they decide whether it is ethically sound to reprogram a pacemaker without being face to face with the patient, the ability to program long distance remains disabled.

I have mixed feelings about the monitor. The nightly transmissions do help the doctor find problems quickly. However, especially when the pacemaker is new, having opportunities to talk to the doctor or rep regularly could be very helpful.

My cardio referred to my Biotronik as "the Cadillac" of pacemakers. The Evia had just been approved for use in the US when I received mine, which probably accounts for his comment. At the time only a few people had received one. They are much more common now.

Your Biotronik is an amazing little titanium clad computer. Welcome to the club.

Carol


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