pacemaker

Somewhat

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-17 09:11:44

The pacemakers perform pretty much the same function. Keeping the heart going by electrical stimulus. So in that way they are all pretty much the same. After that it gets very complicated.

There are one, two, and three lead systems depending upon the type of heart problem(s) you have. Each lead will stimulate a different part of the heart in order to produce a good heartbeat. Your type of heart problem determines how many leads you get. Also there are different types of leads and lead attachments.

Each manufacturer has a different software program that controls when and to some extent how your heart beat goes. Some manufacturers have additional software programs that control specific things. Medtronic, my PM has a software program specifically for afib called APP (Atrial Preference Pacing).

Some PM's can handle an athletic lifestyle better than others. Based upon what I've read on this forum, my version of Medtronic wouldn't do as well if I was a marathon runner, ran bicycle races, or did other very active exercise. However it has served me well for working in a woodshop and doing general exercise. The problem is chronotropic incompetence. That's where I start exercising but my heart rate doesn't come up fast enough to match my level of exercise. You can feel light headed, dizzy, and short of breath. So your lifestyle can make a difference as to the style and make of PM you receive.

My EP cycles through St. Judes, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic with his patients. It's about a 33% split for each brand. I think he does that to reduce problems in case there would be a recall on one brand and one model. I haven't asked him about extreme athletics as I don't participate and am more concentrated on my problems. Sorry but I'm selfish about getting the best from my PM.

Almost all brands of PM's have had a recall at one time or another. So if you do research you'll find the names of all brands. I haven't heard of any recalls recently but I don't actively research that issue.

Because of the shape of the PM's there is some speculation on this forum there is one manufacturer of PM's and then the individual company puts their name and software on the PM. Hasn't been confirmed but some speculation.

This forum attracts people from both extremes so you'll see a lot more questions about heart problems, wrong settings on PM's, and defects than what you would see in the typical population. You'll also see more people talking about very good results with their PM too.

I think we all get attached (no pun intended) to our PM's. I'm very happy with my PM and would be reluctant to move away from Medtronic unless my EP would give me a good reason. However that decision is, at the moment, eight years in the future. By that time who knows what will be available and what medical science has done.

You should discuss lifestyle, PM software, heart problems, number of leads, etc. with your EP. Most have a long track record and can give you insight into which PM would be best. However, based upon what my EP does, I feel the differences between several brands of PM's are very minor - almost like choosing the paint color on your car.

Hope things go well for you and you get a good match.