Biventricular/CRT pacemaker, pacemaker upgrade

Hi!

First time posting :) I'm 23 and have had a pacemaker since I was 14 to treat atrial fibrillation, at which point my ejection fraction was still strong (55%) I have a congenital heart disease (tetralogy of fallot, pulmonary atresia, VSD) which necessitated the pacemaker.

I pace 100% of the time on my right side and after 6 months of testing docs have realised my EF has come down to 35%, i have a long QRS duration and quite significant ventricular dyssynchrony and next week i'm having a biventricular/CRT pacemaker implanted.

I just wondered if anyone had any experiences of having a CRT upgrade and how they felt after, any improvement in EF etc? I've been really poorly, general fatigue and exhaustion and completely lost my exercise ability. Really want to feel better and could do with a boost from some positive stories - but also interested to hear negative ones, out of curiosity!

Thanks :)

x

2 Comments

Positive Story

by Grateful Heart - 2015-11-29 09:11:52


My EF was 24%. I did not have an upgrade, my Docs went straight for a Bi-Vent/ CRT-D. After about 6 months my EF was 50% and has now been 55% for the past few years. I've had the same, original device now for 7 years. I'm hoping to get 10 out of it!

I feel so much better than I did pre CRT. I am more active as far as exercise then I have been in years. My heart/ CRT is not limiting. For me, the challenge is arthritis in my hip. LOL

I was not familiar with your diagnoses so I had to look them up. I see you have been a fighter since before birth. :-)

I hope you find success with the CRT too. Good luck with the upgrade next week....I'll keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

Grateful Heart

Thank you

by GeorgiaG - 2015-12-01 12:12:57

Thank you so much, that's really uplifting to hear! Do you know if you had a long QRS duration? (long gap between your two ventricles beating?) I've heard thats the best indication for success with CRT.

So pleased for you, sorry about the arthritis - my mum suffers with it and it really is crap! You seem to have a brilliant attitude though :)

x

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.