Medtronic "Accelerometer" question

Running with an ADVISA DR A2DR01 since Jan'15, the "Rate Response" Optimization setting has been set to On. My question is this: does the Optimization On / Off turn on or off all of the settings of the "Rate Response" function? Or is the Optimization feature only that part of "Rate Response" that analyzes the cardio history and fine tunes the settings based on the data? Finally, are all of the functions under the "Rate Response" section (on the printout from my session with my Medtronic rep) refered to as the "Accelerometer"? Or, is the Optimization feature alone refered to as the Accelerometer? I would like to turn off the Optimization feature and then tweak the other settings under "Rate Response" (such as: ADL Response from 3 to 4, Exertion Response from 3 to 4, and Activity Threshold from Medium-Low to higher, etc.). I want to change these settings because during Jan & Feb my runs were really going well, with no heart block events whatsoever. Then in March heart blocks began cutting my runs short. I believe that the Optimization feature has reprogrammed the PM to make itself less responsive. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

9 Comments

Yes, it is reprogramming the set points

by parmeterr - 2016-04-13 03:04:15

If you turn off the optimization, you can just set your points. I am talking about the ADL set point and the UR set point. If you have the optimization "on" and are very active such as myself then the pacemaker programming will push out the ADL and UR set points making it more difficult to reach your upper limit thus making it more difficult to run at maximum heart beat.

I have been through this issue and my set points were finally "set" and can not move. I think 20 for the ADL set point and 60 for the UR set point. It all works fine now.

You have to know what the exertion response of 3 means and the same for the ADL response. They refer to a certain amount of time that you are above a certain heart rate.

Richard

Accelerometer setpoints

by frankmcw - 2016-04-13 06:04:06

Thank you so much for your information, this is very timely as I am meeting with my Medtronic rep in a few days. Did it take several try's to arrive at your setpoints of 20 & 60? My ADL Setpoint was 46 and UR Setpoint was 73 back in January but they must have been automatically reprogrammed since then. (I wonder if the different numbers will show on the new Interrogation report? That will be very helpful in establishing new setpoints if they do. If there is nothing else to go by I may well start with your 20 & 60.) Also, since my original posting I have found several excellent websites that describe what the different Rate Response settings do. The ADL & Exertion Response settings ramp up or down the time the PM takes to reach the ADL Rate and Exertion Rate. In my case I may change both those settings from 3 to 4, thereby (hopefully) elevating my heart rate more quickly than now. The Activity Threshold setting alters the overall sensitivity of the Accellerometer sensor, and I don't think I will make any changes to that, (now set at Medium Low).
I will post again to let readers know how my experiments go. Thank you again

typo

by frankmcw - 2016-04-14 06:04:17

.....and changing the ADL Setpoint and UL Setpoint back to their initial settings...

Rate Response settings

by frankmcw - 2016-04-14 06:04:53

This website gives a good basic description of the Rate Response settings in Medtronic PM's:
http://www.pacemakerplus.com/how-does-pacemaker-rate-response-work-and-how-can-it-be-adjusted/
Next, try this Medtronic website page:
http://www.medtronicfeatures.com/browse-features/all/CDF_DF_RATE-RESPONSE
And, for a more technical description complete with charts and graphs:
http://www.pacingdefibrillation.com/en/specificities/programming-exercise/medtronic/medtronic-sensor
Now, the difficult part will be to find the settings that apply to your individual needs. I suspect that it is going to take a bit of experimentation to get my own settings right. I am going to begin by switching Optimization OFF, and changing the ADL Setpoint and Setpoint back to their initial settings, (see above comment). I'll try to post the results.

Thanks!

by Wardie - 2016-04-14 07:04:16

Many thanks. Will take a close look at those tonight.

Re accelerometer setpoints

by Wardie - 2016-04-14 12:04:20

As a newbie (I got my pm in December 2015), I'm still trying to figure out what all the readings mean and my ep is battling to get my Medtronic A3DR01 dialled in properly for my level of exercise. (I'm an avid cyclist and keen to get back out there.) You mentioned that you found some excellent websites that describe what the different rate response settings do, would you mind letting me know what those sites were?

Many thanks!

Long explanation

by parmeterr - 2016-04-15 02:04:15

frankmcw,

Did you receive my private e-mail from the other night explaining in more detail how the rate response works? I can re-send or post on this thread. Thank you.

Richard

Long explanation reply

by frankmcw - 2016-04-16 04:04:01

Thank you Richard, I did not receive your email but I would definitely like to read your explanation of rate response. Please resend or post. Thanks again.

I have received your message

by frankmcw - 2016-04-16 05:04:59

Thank you very much for your detailed message. I now need a little time to digest it. Thanks again!

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