86 yr old -AFIB. Pacemaker?? What to consider?Help

• by RoseNa
• 2012-09-06 11:09:05
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1190 views
• 0 comments

Hello,
My 86 yr old mom had a TIA (ministroke7/6/12). Weak on right side but fully functional. During hospital stay hospital did stress test. When doc injected die/chemical her heart went into AFIB and they had to stop the test and monitor her closely.
(She had AFIB once before briely in 2007 (approx a week and was taken off medication, then heart went back to normal rythm. NOw > on Flecanide 50mg. Heart monitor indicates some AFIB and also normal sinus rythm. however, they say she had a few 9 second 'pauses' in her heart & now has doc appointment to consider pace maker. >QUESTION: 1 time the battery light was flashing on the monitor. Doc said heart paused 9 seconds approx near that time (have to check to see if times match up..). Could the battery of the heart monitor cause the 'pauses'?? I would think they could determine between battery dieing out and'pauses' - just checking?? Also, my mom is on coumdin since stroke. She is petite (under 5 ft and 110 lbs) and never been much of a drug taker and rarely uses tylenol etc. easily affected by medication. I am concerned she won't be able to handle the anesthia for a pacemaker procedure. She has rolling fine veins also. She has been dizzy when taking 100mg of Flecanide, but cut to 50mg..not as dizzy.. Doc said dizzyness could be from 'pauses' also. Anyway, would love to hear your experience?? Complications?? (your age too if you don't mind:)
What brand pacemaker? Anything we should definately check or watch out for?? Any feed back at all please. Any infections after procedure? Any doc recommendations in NJ ?? We want the best of the best and not someone who just uses 'factory line' methods, if you will..
Thanks all!! :) Rose