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Colonoscopy and endoscopy
- by JuPage
- 2013-12-14 03:12:17
- General Posting
- 2888 views
- 9 comments
I have just undergone both colonoscopy and endoscopy and did not have anyone from the cardiology department there. Was I suppose to ?
9 Comments
cardios
by Alma Annie - 2013-12-14 11:12:40
I had both the above last March. I told the anaesthetist that I had a pm, he said no worries we are used to those. I had no problems, I presume he didn't either. I am not sure why you would need a cardio there.
Alma Annie
Good job, Grateful Heart...
by donr - 2013-12-15 01:12:17
...you mousetrapped me into copying it over.
The comment I corrected said in essence that Colonoscopy was no big deal, the PM could care less about the procedure.
Begin Copy from previous thread:
Let me correct my comment...
Comment posted by donr on 2013-11-20 11:38.
...about my colonoscopy being no big deal.
Overnight, I rec'd a Pvt Msg from Grateful Heart telling me that I had confused her by my comment, since she had done some research about finding polyps & how they take them out using electrocautery (EC). There are , indeed, significant issues about mixing EC & PM/ICD's. Moreso w/ ICD's. I will let Grateful heart tell you what she learned about the risks - I will modify my comment on my colonoscopy.
Here goes. A Colonoscopy is no big deal for a PM/ICD unless they find a lesion (Polyp) and want to remove it quickly & easily (for the surgeon) using EC. They have techniques for removing polyps shaped like mushrooms with stems or flat ones like pancakes. They can use the same equipment for either.
Here's where the precautions come in. Electrocautery uses Radio Frequency(RF) electrical currents to burn through tissue, at the same time sealing the cut to prevent bleeding. When working in the colon, they place the electrical return patch on your buttocks or thigh, so the current never flows anywhere near the heart. This means that the heart is not anywhere near the path, relieving the PM/ICD & leads free from problems.
It would still be a great idea to make sure that the surgeon & anesthesiologist are aware of your PM/ICD, however ESPECIALLY if you have an ICD.
End of paste.
Don
Don
by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-15 09:12:13
Just thought I'd keep you in business. :)
And.....make it easier for the folks.
Grateful Heart
Electrocautery
by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-15 12:12:59
The following is copied and pasted from a recent comment to a post:
*********************************************************
Comment posted by Grateful Heart on 2013-11-20 14:21.
Don, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something and that I was understanding it correctly. You, of course can explain it better than I but....here goes.
The concern is...when electrocautery needs to be used during surgery and you have a device, the high frequency/ high voltage can interfere with PM's or ICD's (EMI or Electromagnetic Interference).
During a colonoscopy if a polyp is found, it is removed using electrocautery and the wound is sealed at the same time like Don said.
With ICD's, it is an extra concern because if your device reads it as cardiac, it can trigger an inappropriate shock which is why the rep should use the programmer to shut off the defibrillator before surgery and then check for any changes in your device after surgery as well as turning the defibrillator function back on.
It is a good idea to bring a copy of your settings from your last interrogation report so the rep can make sure the settings are the same post procedure/ surgery. I had my first colonoscopy a little over 3 years ago and my settings were changed after the procedure by a rep.
I want to stress it is SAFE for us to have surgeries when needed. I had surgery 8 months ago (not heart related) and due for another colonoscopy very soon. Others have had surgeries as well.
It's not a big deal to some Doctors or reps.....but it's not their heart. That is not to say they don't care, but maybe not versed in PM's/ ICD's. When I tried to talk to my ortho surgeon about the rep and programming for my device, he said he does not get involved with that.
I had to really plead my case but in the long run the Anesthesiologist did listen to me so......she's a keeper.
Using a magnet is common practice in some settings but as you will read in the following articles, programming should be used.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1420917/
www.cardiacengineering.com/pacemakers-wallace.pdf
The 2nd article has been posted here before by Donr.
If you have any questions, I'm sure Don can shed more light on this (no pun intended.....ok, maybe).
**************************************************************
End of copy and paste.
Don had a comment just above mine on that post. He may decide to post his comment here as well.
Grateful Heart
Always
by fconzero - 2013-12-16 10:12:12
I had someone there for mine and I did not have a pacemaker at that time.
I have a 2 to 1 atrioventricular block and now I am told a heart block so I will have a pacemaker sometime Thursday.
However, I can use prayers that it works because I have lost lots of weight and the doctors hope this will kickstart my digestive system.
Don
by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-16 11:12:06
You give me too much credit. :)
fconzero: Good luck on Thursday. Prayers for you and your Doc. You should start to feel much better.
Grateful Heart
You know you're wired when...
You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.
Member Quotes
It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.
Read Grateful Heart's...
by donr - 2013-12-14 11:12:15
...saga about a Colonoscopy. Really depends a lot on the situation. If there is zero reason for them to do electrocautery, there is no need for ANY cardio support. BUT, if there is a chance that they will be cutting something out w/ electrocautery, a PM Rep should be handy to ensure that post-op the PM/ICD is still set correctly.
The anesthesiologist is the main medic who needs to know. The surgeon should be informed & a discussion w/ him/her about the ;location of the ground return pad for the electrocautery current. You want it on the Buttocks or upper thigh to keep any stray current from flowing past the PM/ICD.
The correct & fail safe way to handle electrocautery is for a PM Rep to reprogram the PM into a mode that will be absolutely safe for you. This is an issue between you & the anesthesiologist.
If you feel embarrassed to btring up the subject w/ such august personages as surgeons & anesthesiologists, just remember that YOU are going to be zonked out & totally incapable of helping yourself
Anyone who belittles you for asking & discussing has an ego big as barn & is NOT to be trusted.
Grateful Heart's saga will cover all this.
Don