. Single lead PM for SSS to double lead next week

I'm really worried. I hav a single lead for SSS.  After complaints of intermittent weakness, tiredness, a full feeling in head, headaches, and breathlessness my EP has told me a dual lead PM will fix all this.  The tech said that sometimes it does and sometimes not.  All I know is I'm not hitting on all six cylinders these days since my single lead implant almost  9 months ago.  Not terrible, just not great.  Not all the time, but episodes daily.  Has anyone here gone from single to double and did it help?  I am afraid.  I had minor complications after the first implant (couldn't get a full breath for over a month and a small infection) but basically didn't get the "you're going to feel great" feeling as advertised by my doctor.  Any and all info. greatly appreciated.  Opinions? Experiences?  Courage?

(I'm old....69.  Was an (aging) athlete.  Ran a full marathon two weeks before single lead implant for dizziness.....not running much since.....) 

Addiej

3 Comments

Not to fear

by Good Dog - 2016-11-13 16:39:44

Your EP is correct!

Really, it is not a risky operation. Any surgery has risks, but the insertion of a lead is such a routine procedure and there is little that can go wrong.

I am confident that you'll feel like a million bucks when you come out of surgery. Obviously, you may not be 100% until you are all healed and some adjustments are made, but immediately you should still feel so much better. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The reason I say that is, because the chambers of your heart are not likely beating in sync. That is the reason you need the other lead. I can tell you from experience that when my heart was not beating in sync I felt awful. That happened when my battery reached the point where my PM went into safe mode and paced only my ventricle. 

I certainly understand your concern. I get that way each time I have to go in for a generator change. Been through that 3 times since my PM was initially implanted. So it is perfectly normal for you to be worried. However,I have always felt a little foolish afterwards, because I always seem to forget how quick and easy it really is. You will be fine.

I wish you the very best. Please post back here when you get home and let us know how you are feeling.

Sincerely,

David

Bunble of HIS pacing

by BillH - 2016-11-13 23:38:35

Ask your EP about having the 2nd lead into the bundle of HIS, instead of the RV.

This makes the way that the ventricles contract when pulsed more matural then the more typical pacing of the RV.

With HIS pacing both ventricle squeze at the same time. With RV pacing the right contracts and then later the left. This is not as efficient.

While it is not new, until recently it has not been very common. But more EP's are starting to use.

Agreed

by Good Dog - 2016-11-14 08:24:55

Bill H is correct. The only problem is that many doc's are not trained and will not perform that procedure. It is however a much better option. So it is a good idea to ask, but if they will only do the conventional procedure you will be fine. Either way! I have been living with the conventional two-lead system for 30 years and I am doing very well.

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