PVCs

PVCs

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-03 22:20:04

1-  The exact response to a PVC is pacemaker dependent but I believe all current models will handle PVCs correctly.  Some details: <https://www.medtronicacademy.com/features/pvc-response-feature>

2.  I woudn't think so.  The number of PVCs should be rather low, proportionate to the number of heartbeats.

3. No clue.  Spacing of leads (amplitude of signal)?

PVCs

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-04 14:30:51

1. PVCs are a really common rhythm--so common they are considered "normal." Any pacemaker that couldn't handle PVCs would be very limited in who could benefit. Today's pacemakers have algorhythms already programmed to deal with them.

2. Damage? Once again, PVCs are "normal." You really have to have a lot for them to be considered a problem. I once had a Holter monitor that showed 40,000 in 48 hours. the EP seemed to find that number impressive, but not alarming.

3. Don't know. I do know the pacemaker will only record what it is programmed to record, whereas the Holtor monitor is like a long EKG and is simply recording what is there.

PVCs

by The real Patch - 2018-06-05 15:10:51

in spite of advances in device technology PVCs can in fact cause problems with a pacemaker, defibrillator, or CRT. Most common amoung problems is called PMT, Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardia. It's a complex issue but suffice to say PVCs can confuse your device and cause extra beats and other issues. I had to have my base rate changed from 70 to 75 to 80 before we were able to overcome the issue.

PVCs are considered benign, meaning they don't cause any problems but I know several EP's who insist we have a finite number of beats pre programmed into our heart muscle and PVCs, SVT's, A-Fib, V-Tach and so on can all shorten the life of our native heart. I just don't know the answer but I'm paced 100% in both ventricles so really doesn't matter to me.

The deviation between two measurement tools can be a very wide range of reasons from calibration, to accuracy of a device, to settings for monitoring and so on. I wouldn't read much into it.

PVC's

by DAVID H - 2018-07-03 14:10:13

I'm currently going through a period where I believe PVC's are messing with how I feel.  I have a Medtronic VIVA XT CRD pm.  My ? is how do pacemakers "handle" PVC's?  My finger on a carodit artery may show THUMP......thump.....thump....weak thump...THUMP....thump....thump..weak thump...THUMP and so on. I just sent in a PM interrogation a couple days ago, so I don't as yet know what % I'm pacing.  Investigating and thinking about sotalol.....we'll see. I expect to hear from EP in a couple days.  I understand the Rx drug thing: "Here. Take this, and let's see what happens."