heart hailure

I had a bi-ventricular pacer implanted on 07-09-07 also ICD. I have been pace maker dependent for almost 20 yrs. I pace upper chambers 85% and lower 100%. The implant did not go as well as they had hoped I only got one lead and the hope was that it would help pace the left ventricle in addition to monitoring the ICD. My ejection fraction remains unchanged after 3 months. The next step if I elect will be the chest leads applied directly to the heart.My ejection fraction is 20%.
Anyone out there with chest leads applied to the heart. Can you share your experience? Is it worth it?

4 Comments

chest lead

by cherrypie - 2009-06-11 04:06:00

Hi Brenda - Just read this old posting and wonder how you are doing? I also have had a low EF at 18 and LBBB. The doctor at Stanford recommended the bivent pacemaker and said that if they could not get the leads in they would attach to the heart whatever way they could, pronto. He was certain it would help and it has, but all the leads went in okay. My heart returned to normal size and shape and all numbers are good now. I hope something good has happened for you over the last couple of years. I send with my heart best wishes to you. Leslie

update on ef

by Brenda Price - 2009-06-12 04:06:35

Thanks for thinking about me. I still have a 20% ef and have had for two years. I have an appointment with a surgeon Monday regarding placing an epicardial lead . They will open the chest deflate the lung and place the lead on the outside of the heart. i have been told I will be in the hospital for about a week.i am so anxious to get this fixed and feel better. I am so pleased you are doing well. enjoy every day. Are you still on beta blockers?

Sounds like a plan

by cherrypie - 2009-06-14 05:06:51

Hi Brenda. I like your attitude. It does sound a bit scary that the surgeon will deflate the lung to put the lead on your heart, but to the doctor it will be a pretty simple procedure. If they are willing to do this procedure on you that must mean they think there are pretty good odds that it will help. With that in mind, I think you can look forward to at least some improvement. Before I had my bivent put in, I thought that I would be very happy just to have a little improvement and a longer life. So it sounds like that is at least what you can expect and hopefully you will attain even better health.
I am still on beta blockers and all the basic meds for cardiomyopathy, except the water pills. The doctor told me to keep doing whatever it is that I am doing, so I am staying on a good low salt diet. I am exercising so easily now and doing more is something I am just doing without even having to think about it. I have another echo in 5 months and that will confirm complete recovery - so I can't back-slide now.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you write me again and let me know how you are doing.
Leslie

update on ej

by Brenda Price - 2009-08-28 10:08:47

I did see the surgeon in June and he told me the epicardial lead would not raise my ejection fraction but keep it from declining. This is not what my ep has told me so now I am very confused. I see the ep in about three wks so now who do you trust?

I hope things are still going well for you. Have you had another echo?

Take care
Brenda

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

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Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.