Pacemaker
- by Man21
- 2024-09-16 09:42:43
- General Posting
- 2534 views
- 5 comments
Good afternoon
I am looking for some guidance - help!
My mum who is 79 years old was diagnosed last December with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, after lots of investigations. She was then put on 2.5mg of Bisoprolo.
February 2024, check up ecg found AF.
August 2024, 24 hour monitor found persistent AF
Peak heart rate at 158 bpm slowest at 29 bpm and pause of 2.9 seconds.
My mum's consultant was between her having an Albation or pacemaker but left it that he would speak with his colleague.
The consultant also said that a pacemaker might not resolve shortness of breath my mum gets when she is walking.
My mum's medication can not be increased because her heart rate goes low.
Today we have received a letter stating the consultant is referring my mum for a pacemaker. Is this the best option or only option.
If she did nothing and stayed as she was is she in danger?
Many thanks
jackie
5 Comments
Agreed
by piglet22 - 2024-09-16 12:56:45
Can't really expand on Gemitas advice.
29 BPM is too low to be safe.
Together with the pauses, it could be dangerous, with the risk of falls or blackouts.
If it's advised, it ought to be treated as urgent.
Her age shouldn't be a problem, the procedure is relatively straightforward and done on a regular basis
2.5 mg Bisoprolol is a relatively low dose and is widely used in cardiology.
I'm sure the pacing team will look after her with kid gloves.
I would go for the pacemaker first
by Rch - 2024-09-16 15:09:12
Your mom has tachybrady syndrome with a HR in the 20s which is quite serious. She could pass out and if she is on anticoagulats, it could be very disastrous! So,you have to protect her from the downside first with a pacemker while titrating the beta blocker to supprress her higher heart rates. Once you have done that, you have more options to address her A.Fib. I personally have a history of A.Fib but never opted for ablation, and so my Cardiologist recommended pacemaker. But there are other members in this club who have had both the ablation and pacemaker. So, they may have more personal experiences with each modality. I hope you will make the right choice for your mother.
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My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.
Pacemaker sounds like a safe, good initial option
by Gemita - 2024-09-16 10:15:58
Jackie, I would follow the advice of your Mum’s consultant. If your Mum’s heart rate is volatile and falls to low levels, surges to higher levels and there are long pauses in her heart rate due to an arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation, there is little her doctor can do to help her if she gets into trouble. The pacemaker will be a backup and help your Mum because the consultant will be able to give additional medication to control any high heart rates or pauses without causing her heart rates to fall to dangerously low levels. The pacemaker can be set to prevent a fall in heart rate below a set rate. In other words the pacemaker will help stabilise your Mum’s condition and help to keep her safe.
The ablation can be done at a later stage when she has the protection of a pacemaker to prevent any long pauses and any major falls in heart rates. Her breathlessness may well be caused by her Atrial Fibrillation but an ablation may not fix the AF immediately and sometimes we need more than one ablation to help control this arrhythmia. Your Mum could get into a lot of trouble before the AF is controlled, particularly as your Mum has “persistent” AF that may not easily be stopped.
I would agree with the consultant. A pacemaker is the safer option, particularly since your Mother has cardiomyopathy and may be more prone to arrhythmias which may need treating in the future.