questions, questions, questions...

i had a cardio resynchronization procedure and defibrillator implanted 3 weeks ago. im still confused about defibrillator and pacemaker differences. i am also wondering what it means to be pacing at 97%? seems folks on here talk about 100 but i dont know if that refers to pacemaker.
im new to this. have an appointment in 2 weeks but thought id ask here. so many of you seem to understand this so much better than i do. i have learned so much from these readings and comments but have so much more to learn! thanks everyone.

3 Comments

I'm Learning Too

by NiceNiecey - 2014-05-20 02:05:27

You aren't alone on the learning curve, my friend! There's so much to know!

Using common street language to answer your questions in a very basic way: blocked electrical signals between the chambers of the heart are "corrected" by the PM. If you skip a beat, the PM comes to the rescue and does the job for you.

If you're pacing at 97%, that means that the PM is operating 97% of the time and your heart is doing its job effectively, on its own just 3% of the time. The doc will let you know how much each chamber is being paced. If you have complete heart block, it's my understanding that you will be "pacing" 100% of the time since ALL the electrical signals are blocked.

Cabs Patch's Jesus Jolts description is probably sufficient! Just beware: you're going to be zapped with the equivalent of "the paddles" often seen on dramatic TV shows after shouting "CLEAR!" With us, however, the "paddle" is on the inside and it's your defibrillator. Some people that have them have never been 'shocked.' Let's hope you fall into that category!

Clarification

by PacerRep - 2014-05-22 02:05:37

Wanted to just clarify on NiceNiecey's comment on the pacing. You probably do not have complete heart block.

With BiV/CRT therapy, we purposely program the device to pace the bottom portion of your heart as much as possible. The goal is to reach 100%. When your heart beats on it's own it is wobbling...it is "out of synch". Hence why you received the CRT which stands for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. 2 pulses of electricity are delivered to both chambers of your heart (ventricles) so that they beat together and eliminate the wobble.

97% is a great number, 100 is perfect, but if your having some PVC's or fast heart rates, you won't achieve 100%. Make sure the technician has a feature turned on called "BiV Trigger" that will make up the difference of the 3% in those cases.

thanks

by capecod - 2014-05-22 04:05:59

thanks everyone for shedding some light. i THINK I'm starting to make sense of some of this. long way to go!

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