ECGs Detecting AF with a PM

Hi,

I have a dual chamber PM and I'm positive I'm in AF at the moment. I went to my GP about an hour ago and had an ECG and he claimed im not in AF, but I know the feeling well.

My cardiologist says a PM can make it hard for an ECG to detect AF because it takes over the paving of the verticals which gives a normal readout and s normal pulse rate.

Does anyone have any feed back on this?

I hope I can see my EP tomorrow to find out for sure otherwise it's a trip to the ED tonight.

Thanks

3 Comments

skip the GP

by Tracey_E - 2016-04-18 04:04:30

Hardly anyone knows how to read out ECG's outside of a cardiologists office. I'd go straight to the EP.

Are you on medication for the afib? My mom is and her first step is an extra half dose when the episode lasts too long, then call the dr if that doesn't fix it.

Do you have a home monitor? If you do, there should be a button on it to send a report then call and let the office know so they know to look for it tomorrow. That's what I was told to do if I have a strange episode.

EKGs

by Artist - 2016-04-18 05:04:58

I have had no trouble with EKGs detecting my afib. The problem is the sporadic nature of afib. It can come and go and one minute I have it and the next I don't. The best diagnostic tool for me was wearing a 30 day holter monitor. I have done this both before and after my PM was implanted and in both cases, the monitor had absolutely no problem detecting arrythmias, the same applies to the many, many EKGs I have had that have no problem detecting my arrythmias, if they are actually doing their tap dance at the time the EKG is being taken. Also, it is my understanding that AFIB (atrial fibrillation) is primarily located in the left atrium so I don't understand your doctor's comment about your PM taking over the pacing of the ventrical masking atrial fibrillation. Bottom line is, as Tracey says, your cardiologist or EP should be looking at this, not your GP.

Direct Reading from the PM

by PJinSC - 2016-04-22 01:04:49

Talk to your EP/Cardiologist and cardio device lab nurse. My EP and cardio lab take their readings directly from the PM, and they stick EKG style detectors on my wrists and chest. They are able to read and adjust each lead independently (I have three leads). It shows that I am in continuous a-fib in my atria, but the two ventricles leads are pacing at their settings. I do have some PCV activity and they can see that also.

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