Question

• by Heartvalvefix
• 2016-05-18 01:05:00
• General Posting
• 838 views
• 0 comments

Hi everyone. This is my first post but i have been reading postings on the site for quite a while and the information and knowledge I have gained has been so valuable.

I recently had valve surgery which resulted in 3rd degree heart block (sinus rythem at first - developed a few days later. AV node not working. I had a Metronic pacemaker implanted. I am 53 and very active so I had it placed in my abdomen. It is a single lead on my right venticle. My surgeon had planted the lead "just in case" during the surgery as he knew he was working close to the AV node and if I ever needed a pacemake he did not want a lead to be threaded through the new valve.

I can have another lead added to right atrium in the future if I feel like I need the atrial kick however, I gather the thought was that since I am in good shape and have no other issues with my heart or arteries or any othet health issues that this may be enough for me. I will be watched with ecos to ensure no detrimental effect on my heart.

Since my SA node is intact and functioning normally my atria are basically doing their own thing. My question is - if I ever developed Afib how would I ever know given that only my ventricles are paced? I have never had any irregular rhythms in the past.

Thanks