Reprogramming Necessary ?

I am on Pacer from 1993. It is 3rd PG now running since 2005. So 7 years after last PG change. My Magnetic rate is still 100. Is is necessary to reprogram my PG every year. During my last PG change the Pulse Rate was fixed to 66/minute. Since I am happy with that & asymptomatic, just save a few beats per minute there by saving a year or so for battery. These reprogramming is done by Company lads. Will they set this at a higher voltage so that battery drain quickly ?
Any have idea ?
Thanks in advance

3 Comments

no

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-19 09:12:50

If things are going well, they shouldn't make any changes, just check it.

Generally they do whatever they can to prolong battery life once we are stable and feeling good. They normally set the voltage at the very smallest amount needed for the heart to respond unless there's a reason to turn it up.

Thanks

by manuhomoeo - 2012-12-19 10:12:34

Thanks TraceyE for the comment.
Just asked this because, it is lucrative business.Earlier they were giving Life time warranty. My first PG was of that kind. An Australian Company.They gave me life time Warranty on Pulse Generator. But after 7 years, when that battery gone, I did not get any warranty & had to pay for a new PG. Second one drained quickly in 5 years. That was due to leakage of current at the pacer lead. There by developing twitches in the pacer area. Now the third one touch wood going smooth for the last 7 years. Voltage set was minimum possible. During my yearly checkups usually only ECG's are taken. But this time the company people were present & insisted reprogramming. I did not allow that, since I am going fine with a mag rate of 100. That's why I asked..

interrogation vs reprogramming

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-20 08:12:08

Mine is interrogated every 3 months. They check to see what the pm has been doing, how the leads are, how much battery is left, if I've had episodes. They only make changes if it's needed.

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