Will my new Advantio K063 keep up

I developed A V Block during an Aortic Valve replacement in 2003. Its being replaced with the Andvantio. Currently my pacer is slow to increase my heart rate need when biking. Eventually it catches up but normally I'm exhausted by than. Example climbing a hill, about the time I get to the top it is beginning to ramp up. Does anyone know iifAndvandio will more responsive. Had the Guidiant for 11 years and know I will have this one longer. I ride 20 to 60 miles three times a week and am 57 years old so I want to get the right one

1 Comments

Unlikely

by golden_snitch - 2014-02-12 11:02:00

Hi Bart!

The problems you describe are typical for any pacemaker that works with an accelerometer only as a rate response sensor. It needs upper body movement in order to appropriately detect activity. The Advantio has an acclerometer, too, so you are likely to run into the same problems again.

If the rate response is so important for you, I'd suggest you ask your cardio about getting a pacemaker with dual sensor rate response that combines and accelerometer with a minute ventilation sensor. Only Boston Scientific and Sorin offer this. Or you discuss a Biotronik pacemaker with a sensor called "closed loop stimulation".

However, with a third degree heart block "only" you should not need the rate response sensor. Rate response is much more important for patients with sinus node issues. With a heart block only, the sinus node is usually still working well, so that it can dictate the pace, and the ventricular pacer lead just needs to follow that pace; the sinus node senses the activity, no rate response sensor needed. But maybe you just didn't say that you have sinus bradycardia, too.

Best

Inga

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.