Should I reconsider CRT? Please advise

I am scheduled for CRT in 15 days time. 

But should I reconsider? Symptoms have improved.

I’m not experiencing flat-out tiredness. I’m managing lung congestion by reducing sodium, and doing breathing exercises. Lost about 10 lbs, i.e. fluids. Light indoor biking 8 mins daily, that in past triggered exhaustion, now ok. Also, I’m following a more balanced diet  

ON THE OTHER HAND, We did painstaking evaluation during 5 months. Decision was based on low heart rate, PVC’s, LBBB, crazy left ventricle, reduced ejection fraction, some heart muscle damage. Still, latest reading — MUGA — showed 45% EF, up from 30% - 40% as shown in echo etc.  Left ventricle depolarizing occurs out of sync within itself and out of sync with SA node! We also observed paroxysmal a-fib.

Suggestions, advice welcome.

  

 

 

6 Comments

What's to question?

by AgentX86 - 2019-05-04 22:34:07

You're definitely a candidate.  I don't see why you'd even consider cancelling the procedure.  It's not going to get better and will go the other way eventually.  You may even suffer permanent damage.  <scratches head>

Thanks, AgentX86

by Jereems - 2019-05-04 22:51:21

I value your experience and advice. I would not at all wish to cancel. You, I understand, advise that temporarily reduced symptoms can deceive, that diagnosis was based on established criteria, so, you say, go ahead.

You have addressed my nagging doubt.  

stop overthinking

by Tracey_E - 2019-05-05 09:05:05

It's great that you are taking better care of yourself and seeing improvement, keep up the good work! But none of that has anything to do with the electrical issues your heart has and the need for CRT. No amount of diet and exercise is going to have any impact on electrical problems. 

Thank you Tracey_E

by Jereems - 2019-05-05 14:34:08

You have given me knowledgeable advice before, Tracey_E, and I value it. And long before symptoms clamored for attention, I intuited electrical problems: I have had to discontinue aerobic exercises in the past, because, as heart muscle gained strength, the “infighting” became evident. 

Thanks for your advice. 

CRT

by davbrn1765 - 2019-05-05 17:02:26

I have been on CRT for over two weeks now, and I do notice that I am less fatigued. I am not out of the woods yet, but I am happy to be on the CRT. Your underlying issue unfortunately won't be cured. CHF is a lifelong issue that you have to monitor. It's not going away. The CRT helps the heart beat as it sould in sycn with hearts upper chamber. My EF's from a MUGA scan showed 22% in the left ventricle and 31% in the right ventricle. Since your EF's are low, you will need the ICD as well. The threshold is 35% and below. I would ask your docotr about it. I have a BV ICD installed and am on CRT. Also, with low EF and CHF, your heart is probably enlarged, and the CRT will work to stabalize that as well. Good luck.

Thank you davbrn1765Docant

by Jereems - 2019-05-05 18:15:19

I am glad it is working for you so soon. Doc is postponing decision on defib in my case, as CRT will diagnose if fibrillation is significant. He also is waiting till afterwards to see if ablation is necessary. 

Yes, there is some enlargement and that should improve. His hope seems to be that CRT alone will, at least over time, address the other concerns. He may feel that the underlying issue in my case is electrics within the heart, and that CHF is a consequence of that rather than its underlying cause. 

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