Would like to know when A-Fib starts and stops.

I had a 2 lead Medtronic A2DR01 implanted in June 2015. Complete block so I'm 100 percent paced. Found out I have A-Fib and
since they can see when it starts and stops during a device check I would like to be able to monitor the PM also to know when the A-Fib starts and stops. I'm sure I'm not the only person that would like to be able to do this and maybe something already exist that lets you monitor without giving you the ability to change anything. Anyone have any ideas?
Also I feel I am luck to have this PM.
Thanks,
Jack

6 Comments

Good Question

by BillH - 2016-03-14 04:03:26

There is someone that has a PM (or ICD?) that has long had a campaign to "unlock" the monitoring data and make it directly available.

Recently he had a battery change out. And he posted a video and it shows him at home downloading all of the information from the old one.

But I have no idea of where he got the reader. Possibly a surplus one from ebay. But it would not be cheap. And not very available.

You might want to get an Alivecor. It uses your smart phone to take an EKG. But it does not indicate what happened in the past. Only what is happening for the moment that you used it.

What I have found...

by Terry - 2016-03-14 05:03:06

I have Alivecore and like it for detection of AF.
According to the MOST Trial published by Sweeney* and others in 2003, conventional pacing can result in AF, as well as heart failure hospitalization. See a hyperlink to the paper on the Papers page of His-pacing.org.
My question is, can cardiac conduction system activation for physiological ventricular activation result in reversal of AF like it has for heart failure(?)

*Adverse Effect of Ventricular Pacing on Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation Among Patients With Normal Baseline QRS Duration in a Clinical Trial of Pacemaker Therapy for Sinus Node Dysfunction

Michael O. Sweeney, MD;
Anne S. Hellkamp, MS;
Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD;
Arnold J. Greenspon, MD;
Roger A. Freedman, MD;
Kerry L. Lee, PhD;
Gervasio A. Lamas, MD;
for the MOde Selection Trial (MOST) Investigators

AF detection with Alivecore

by marylandpm - 2016-03-14 05:03:43

Thanks for the replies. Since I am in complete block the AF does not get to the ventricles so the Alivecore does not pick it up but I think I can hear it with a stethoscope. I sent a email to Alivecore this morning and ask them if they can figure out how I can monitor the top of my heart. Two leads attached across the top connected to the Alivecore is what I am thinking of trying. I will enter their answer here if they get back to me.

Private Message

by BillH - 2016-03-14 06:03:41

I sent you a private message to you with a source of information.

PM and Alivecore

by marylandpm - 2016-03-14 07:03:26

I received a reply from Alivecore stating that the Alivecore might interfere with the pacemaker and I should never place it near the pacemaker. So much for that bad idea.

Private Message

by BillH - 2016-03-14 08:03:40

I am an electrical engineer. And I see ABSOLUTLE no way that the AliveCor would interfere with a PM.

That was a just a CYA reply.

Try the "horses mouth" that I gave you in the private message.

You know you're wired when...

You’re a battery-operated lover.

Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.