Pacemaker Club: Anyone with a Boston Scientific CRT-D been erroneously shocked multiple times?

Anyone with a Boston Scientific CRT-D been erroneously shocked multiple times?

by NowBionic
2024-06-06 16:24:37
ICDs
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1 comments

I was recently working out and got shocked 6 times. My EP was pretty confident it was legit until he saw the interrogation. Has anyone experienced this? If so, did you receive any information about long term damage? My echo was abnormal and my EF was reduced from 52% to 43%. I feel like crap and have no confidence in my heart or device at this point.

1 Comments

What a nightmare

by Gemita - 2024-06-07 02:54:54

Nowbionic, I am so very sorry to hear you were shocked multiple times and I hope you will make a full recovery and will slowly regain confidence. A big ask, I know. The fact that you were “working out” until you received those shocks, tells me that you were feeling okay at the time. I hope this means you have been making good progress since your earlier posts, as I see from your complex history that they have been assessing you for various conditions, including sarcoidosis?

As we know, an ICD shock should only occur when a dangerous ventricular arrhythmia like Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation is “appropriately” detected, but of course an “inappropriate” shock can happen for a number of reasons and not necessarily due to device malfunction or a failing heart.

All atrial tachy arrhythmias like Atrial Fibrillation, Sinus Tachycardia for example, can be a common cause for an inappropriate shock. Do you have atrial tachy arrhythmias and which meds are you on apart from a beta blocker? External noise/interference, lead-connector issues, muscle noise, over-sensing may all be causes for an inappropriate shock.

As always, appropriate pacemaker/ICD device selection and programming to suit lifestyle from the start is so important. Did you ever get a second opinion since I know you didn’t have a great deal of confidence in your initial Medtronic pacemaker or team at the start of your pacemaker journey? On the other hand, perhaps your heart condition has progressed and you may need to modify your lifestyle if it is felt that vigorous exercise is triggering tachy events?

I am not surprised that your EF was found to be reduced after receiving so many shocks. It will take weeks to recover your strength and confidence. Do you know what was seen on the interrogation reports and what settings changes your EP is recommending? I wonder whether he will seek advice from a Boston Scientific rep or recommend any further investigations, so that you will feel reassured. I hope for the best outcome in all respects