ASD/PFO device with pacemaker?

18 months ago I had a 25 mm Cribiform Septal Occluder device implanted to close a hole in my heart (ASD/PFO with ASA). I have had increasing bradycardias and passing out. Dr gave me nitro spray in a tilt table test and my HR dropped to the 20s and stopped for 4 - 5 seconds. Trying for years to tell them I had pauses not only PVCs. I was given ll the wrong meds that made me worse because I could not convince anyone. I have been much worse since the test. My legs are shaky and my chest hurts and I sleep too deeply. Stopped alll meds a while back. Barely can get around now. Always an athlete before the ASD closure. Dr promised I would feel much better in days. Did not. Now I'm hearing the same story. They want to install a metronic PM and very little details. Anyone know of any cases of someone with both the device and a PM?

3 Comments

occluder device and pacemaker

by KathyB - 2013-06-08 05:06:58

Hi Incountrygrl
I had an occluder placed into my atrial wall defect this past Feb and it was during recovery phase they found that I was having slow rates, pauses and junctional rhythm. They talked about a pacemaker then. Said due to the openings all my life, my heart was slightly enlarged and thus causing the natural pacemaker of my heart to not work correctly. In April I had a pacemaker inserted. I feel much better, have more energy and was concerned when heard I needed a pacemaker that the lead wires would somehow adhere to the occluder but they assured me that they are in different areas. By this time your occluder is totally surrounded by scar tissues and now just a part of your heart. I am a nurse and already back to work full time for the past month and I never knew how tired I was until I had all this done and now feel much better. Get the pacemaker and have peace of mind that all is well. Keep us informed of your progress

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2013-06-08 09:06:00

I don't know anything about the occluder device, but I know that a rate in the 20's and pauses will make you feel bad. That's a simple fix with a pm.

Does your dr know you stopped your meds? If you don't have faith in your dr, then it's time to find a new one but please don't wait because your rate is very very low.

pacemaker with pfo device

by tncountrygrl - 2013-06-15 08:06:06

Thanks so much for the advice, and the support. I stopped all my meds (except aspirin) on the advice of the last cardiologist. Had been given all the wrong meds to lower BP, also lowered heart rate even more. Had to stop all to prove it was NOT only the meds. Had the WORST time convincing anyone I was having low heart rate because of the high BP. Had to pass out twice (broken ribs in a fall once) to convince them. And yes, many years ago I was in a terrible accident with blunt trauma, many fractures, and I believe I had vagus nerve damage. The pain is still bad in my spleen area which bled and had clots but was not removed. Can't find anyone who will look into that. Trying to hang in there. Also heard a pancreas cyst or granulomas in the spleen can cause bradycardias, and I have both. Dr said he never heard of it. Told several Drs sometimes you cannot read my BP at all, and a few seconds later it would be fine. Nurses always run for another machine. No, its me not the machine. Why are Drs so hard-headed? At least around here they are.

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