Ventricular tachycardia

Good Morning!

It has been 1 1/2 years since I received my pacer and I have really felt great since then until about 2 months ago.  I have had some fatigue and breathing issues, much like I experienced before my pacer.  I went for my regular checkup yesterday and to my surprise, my doctor told me that they have seen on my remote, that I have ventricular tachycardia and that I am now having to go to the physician that placed the pacer (they are in the same office).  My doctor told me that I don't fit the usual profile for VT but he thinks there may be a tissue blockage that can be cleared by ablation.  I go back onTuesday for more tests.  

Anyone ever have this situation?

 


4 Comments

Snap!!

by DampDog - 2017-12-08 13:28:40

I have had a similar experience here. I had my CRT-D implanted March 2016. Things were generally OK until about 3 months ago when I went in for a routine checkup. I'd apparently had several runs of VT and my device had gone into “pre-charge mode” which I'm told it does just prior to delivering a shock. Fortunately therapeutic pacing corrected the VT each time. They've made some adjustments to my device, recommended I begin taking Amiodarone and I am still waiting for an appointment to see an electrophysiologist with a view to ablation therapy (NHS is not fast!)

As far as I'm concerned having the device fitted ranks as one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Prior to having the device fitted my only real symptoms were a little breathlessness while exercising and some fatigue. Since implant I spent the first 2 weeks in hospital fighting infection, I have ectopic beats constantly, and now runs of VT. I feel tired constantly and have been nowhere near a gym for months. Commencing Amiodarone fills me with dread, so I’ve not taken it. I’ve reached the point where I don’t trust anyone who looks even vaguely “medical” 

Sorry to vent but you caught me on a bad day. I hope they can diagnose and address your issues so you feel better.

DD

PMT

by Beagle - 2017-12-08 22:42:34

I had my biventricular pacer implanted in July of this year. After a few months of fatigue and SOB, I started feeling pretty good... better than I have in a long time. I was making great progress in cardiac rehab and then 5 weeks ago started having episodes of V Tach while excersizing. It was sporadic at first but has progressed to a regular event when exercising.

My cardiologist tried increasing my metropolol, then removed it altogether. Neither had any impact. My EP believed it was caused by the pm and called it pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT) and felt it could be managed with adjustments... that didn’t work either. Now they want to do a stress test to see all of the pacer spikes, which is scheduled for next Thursday. I will report back if they finally figure this out. 

It makes sense that it is pacer related because I feel it every time it happens and more times than not I have to caugh of bear down to break out of it. This is clearly a new symptom since the implant and it took a few months to manifest itself.    

I don’t think I was much help, but you’re not alone. Good luck!

Ventricular tachycardia

by maryellen - 2017-12-09 14:32:24

Just talking to someone is a big help. I received a triple lead pacemaker just over a year ago and felt great.  This VTthing was a surprise. I felt short of breath and tired, but I didn't pay much attention.  But then just before my appointment, I actually woke up in the middle of the night with the flutters and it didn't go away for sometime - until well after I saw the doctor.  I'mgoing for a stress stress and to see the electro physician - he placed by pacemaker. They are in the same practice which is terrific and highly respected in our community (sarasota). I nevr exercise, so I don't know why this is happening!  Any case, I'll let you know next week and I'd like to hear about how you are doing too. Very happy Holidays!!

Pacemaker with Ventricular Tachycardia

by ColoradoKate - 2021-01-18 20:55:34

I was just told I had a few episodes of v-tach and believe I felt them as well after less than a year with my pacemaker. I have an echocardiogram this week and I'm very nervous but glad to see I'm not alone and others have gone through this... 

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