A-fib with CHF

Hi,

I'm 80 years old and have been in A-fib for about 20 years. I'm in CHF now class III. My dr. has recommended a bi ventricular pacemaker with ICD. First they'll implat the PM, then cut the AV node 1 month later. I'm nervous about getting the PM, can anyone with similar problems comment on their experiences please? Thanks, I've already learned some from your forums!

1 Comments

Overall positive

by Theknotguy - 2015-01-28 03:01:21

I can't address CHF, so I don't know how that affects afib and the PM.

I had over 200 episodes of afib in a one year period. Some events lasted over 24 hours in length. This was after I had my PM. The reason for the accuracy in the numbers is the PM kept track of how many episodes of afib I had and the duration of the event. Got some really good statistics because of the PM.

First, let me point out the PM (depending upon the type) may not be able to help with afib. Where I had gone into afib with RVR, the PM just sat there and monitored the situation while my heart rate went from 60 BPM up to 140 BPM. It really didn't do anything and I had to go to the ER and have intravenous Cardizem to get my afib under control. This was before I had a specific program executed by my PM turned on.

I have a Medtronic PM which has a program called APP (Atrial Preference Pacing) which is supposed to help with afib sessions. After the afib with RVR and five months into having the PM, I had the program turned on by my EP. He mentioned at the time the jury was still out on benefits of APP but that it wouldn't hurt to turn it on. This was five months after my PM was inserted.

Discussion on this forum is that we can't be sure if the APP, in and of itself, was responsible for improvements in my afib. Some have suggested changes in medication may have been responsible. Or changes in medication plus the APP. Changes in when I took my medications. Each (or all) could have played a part in changes in my afib. So the caveat is that APP, in and of itself, may not be the cure-all.

Over the course of the year and after APP had been turned on, my afib sessions reduced in frequency. Didn't necessarily reduce in intensity but was happy to take what I got. Now, when I do go into a session of afib, the APP kicks in. It feels peculiar, almost like I have three heartbeats - I know I don't but that's what it feels like. For the majority of the afib sessions, the APP seems to reduce the intensity. Used to be, when I started an afib session, I had to go to a recliner and lay in it until the afib session was over. Now, with APP, I can sometimes go about my normal day-to-day routine. I'll still get SOB, but not as badly prior to having the PM.

Let me point out, even though everything has been very positive for me, that doesn't mean you'll have the same success with APP. Medtronics has indicated their success with APP has been positive too, but that study was conducted by Medtronics so their positive numbers may be skewed in their favor. Also, changes in my medication as well as when I take my medication could have changed the nature of my afib.

I can do 99.999% of the activities I did prior to having the PM. It really hasn't affected my lifestyle that much. Sure, I do have to be a little more watchful since I have the PM but it hasn't really hampered me in my day-to-day activities.

Overall it has been very positive for me and I'm happy I have it.

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