Pacemaker Club: Pacing Problem

Pacing Problem

by 79912Sterne
2018-09-26 12:10:48
Batteries & Leads
1344 views
3 comments

Last month I fell twice within an 18 hour period and went to the ER. The doctor ordered an EKG and found that, during it, my heart had stopped beating for five seconds (because I had twitched). He called the pacemaker rep who came and checked the device which worked perfectly, but at the insistence of the ER physician, retested and had me move my left arm and found, as the EKG had shown a five-second stoppage.

The problem was a loose wire, and it had been loose for at least three months during which I had become progressively weaker, with loss of stamina and breath when walking. I read elsewhere on the forum that this (the loose wire) happens in about one or two percent of the pacemakers, but I wonder if this is anywhere close to the actual number.

We are instructed to remain still during both EKGs and Pacemaker checks. Had I died as a result of complications of a fall, would the loose wire even been found?

I think the protocol for testing Pacemakers and giving EKGs to people with Pacemakers be changed to require a deliberate movement of the left arm as a check for this condition.

3 Comments

Loose

by ROBO Pop - 2018-09-26 19:15:29

If you had died in the fall, would you really care if they found a loose wire.

It is my suspicion that loose wires are the result of the EP not properly seating the set screws that hold them in place. If only you knew how many of these implants EP's do in a day you'd realize they don't let grass grow and likely overlook steps and checks in the rush to get to the golf course

Assuming as most people, you have a home monitor so I cannot fathom why they didn't see this problem before the falls. The impedence of the wires should have shown a problem

and why would you remain still during a pacemaker check? I never am.

Righty tighty - lefty loosey

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-26 22:39:34

I sit still for both EKGs and pacemaker interrogations. They kinda want you to be calm for both. An EKG won't show much if you're bouncing around and the chair they use for the interrogation doesn't allow much movement either (don't want me falling out of it when the do the elevator thing).

I don't understand why this problem wasn't found during the interrogation, either. The pacemaker should easily be able to tell there is a loose lead. Even if it's intermittent, it should have been recorded and reported during the interrogation.

Elevator...

by BOBTHOM - 2018-09-28 20:36:30

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way when they crank up the heart rate! Never heard it put that way, but yes, it is what it feels like!

Oh, and a fractured lead might now show unless it's in a postion that exposes the wire. I'm researching this now as I have suspicions but never wanted to try it during the interogation. It's a thought for my next visit. Thanks.