pacemaker replacement

Hi guys, some advice please.  In two weeks they are replacing my 18 month old 2 lead St Jude with a Metronic CRT-D.  This is to correct a LBBB that was caused by the current pacemaker. MY EF was 32%.  Doc said I didn't really need an ICD but current thinking is if you're puttingin a CRT you might as well make it a CRT-D.  He also want to remove one of the leads. 

Your thoughts?  Any advice?  What should I expect?

Thanks in advance.

 

3 Comments

CRT

by Chapter - 2019-08-12 17:03:57

Hi TWTickle,

I am scheduled August 22nd for CRT-P.  I got my Pacemaker Nov 2017, for Heart Block and now it has to be changed up because has made worse.  Yes I was in trouble and needed Pacemaker but being emergency wasn’t discussed - just you need a Pacemaker and it was done.  I have discussed the ICD part with Cardiologist thinking “just in case scenario”, but he wasn’t keen on that idea.  He said only if you need and you have to qualify.  Why does your doctor want to remove lead?  Is it to make room for ICD lead.?.? Heard having leads removed is not fun time.

Good luck with your procedure, I hope it helps you a lot.

Chapter 🌹

CRT

by Chapter - 2019-08-12 17:03:58

Hi TWTickle,

I am scheduled August 22nd for CRT-P.  I got my Pacemaker Nov 2017, for Heart Block and now it has to be changed up because has made worse.  Yes I was in trouble and needed Pacemaker but being emergency wasn’t discussed - just you need a Pacemaker and it was done.  I have discussed the ICD part with Cardiologist thinking “just in case scenario”, but he wasn’t keen on that idea.  He said only if you need and you have to qualify.  Why does your doctor want to remove lead?  Is it to make room for ICD lead.?.? Heard having leads removed is not fun time.

Good luck with your procedure, I hope it helps you a lot.

Chapter 🌹

CRT-D

by AgentX86 - 2019-08-12 23:17:00

Why are they removing a lead?  I'm also surprised they're upgrading to a CRT-D, where it doesn't appear that a ICD is warranted.  A bit of strangeness but we aren't the EPs, either.  I'd ask to make sure I understood what was going on. 

As far as a CRT-D vs. a CRT-P, other than the obvious, a CRT-D will be larger so you'll feel/see it more.  My CRT-P is big enough. You might also check your driving status after you have the ICD implant.  But mostly I'd want to understand exactly what's going to happen.

 

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