3rd Lead

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by new to pace.... - 2024-09-30 12:02:12

It would help us to answer if we know the model, make and your location, as sometimes are answers are different depending on your location, make, model.

new to pace

I have every confidence you can live a normal life if you continue to remain healthy

by Gemita - 2024-09-30 12:17:19

Pacedgolfer, reading your comments, do you know what I see?  I see a healthy 27 year old with a long life ahead and why wouldn’t I?  From what you are saying your ejection fraction (EF) is still relatively normal at up to 50%, since an echocardiogram result may vary between technicians according to their level of expertise, according to your body shape and things like this.  So much can affect EF on any given day.

From what you tell us you have had a successful 7 years of pacing for heart block and have had no issues since implantation and are not on any medication.  You feel normal.  It sounds to me as though you are normal and your doctor is taking no risks and only suggesting that you consider synchronised pacing of both of your ventricles because he believes this will benefit you in the future and prevent the development of pacing induced difficulties. 

This certainly doesn’t mean that you have heart failure today although I do not know what else, if anything, your echocardiogram showed apart from a slightly reduced EF?  A fall in EF might mean that heart failure or cardiomyopathy could develop in the future if no action is taken.  Heart failure territory would be an EF below 35% and you might be noticing some symptoms if your level was lower than this.

For someone of your age I can only see a benefit to beginning synchronised pacing.  It can be difficult to get that third lead in a good position but in experienced hands, you should be fine.

I have confidence that you will live a long, happy and normal life and will have kids one day.  

As new to pace says, it would be helpful if you could kindly complete your Bio with just a few essential details, like current pacemaker/manufacturer (without giving serial no of model which could identify you).  Also your country of residence.  The more you tell us, the more we can help you 

Welcome aboard the ship of hope

by Lavender - 2024-09-30 14:36:36

Hi there. Of course you're worried-you need more information to calm your fears. I have had a cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) for over three years due to heart block. My EF was about 45 when I got it and is now 55-60. It took a few months to improve. I feel fine. 

You can have a normal life. Kids will be a blessing when you're ready. Several here have had heart block younger than you and longer than you. They're out living their lives with no problem. 

Discovering at such a young age that you need a pacemaker is life changing! Your perspective is altered. Think of it this way- we don't know our expiration date-none of us. Car accidents claim lives, other medical issues claim lives...there's no guarantee. You had a problem that was fixed. Now you need it tweaked. 

Like Gemita said it can be tricky getting in that last lead. I'm going to need mine revised because it's not optimally placed.
 

It's not your doc's first rodeo. There are some very experienced pros out there. They will fix you up.

Hugs. May you feel the blessings. 

Me too....

by BHayes - 2024-10-03 13:58:03

Hi All,

I had my dual lead pacer inplemented in 2014 due to complete AV block and the battery is at it's end-of-life after 10 years.  As I recieved my pacer at a relatively young age (43 is not as young as 20), it gives a long time for the condition of my hear to change and require different treatments.  My EF is 40-45% and has decreased some in the past couple of years.  My Dr feels that we should also add the 3rd lead to synchronise the ventricles and reduce the chance of my EF worsening...and do it with this device change instead of waiting until it worsens further and forces us to go back and do it in the possible somewhat near future.

I understand the concern, but if your Dr is anything like mine he will understand and allow you the time to ask the questions you need to so you are comfortable with what is going to be done.  As an engineer, I like having as much information as possible, but also my Dr is a great fit for me and I trust him completely.  As I understand it, there will be no noticable difference to me, but will keep my heart healthier through the remaining years that I will need to remain paced.

Good luck and prayers to you in finding answers and peace with this. 

3rd Lead Added

by BHayes - 2024-10-18 11:31:34

Follow-up...

My 3rd lead and new pacer was added Monday.  I am 4 days in, and except for a bit of incision pain (Tylenol eliminates it), I feel good...quite a bit better than I did on Monday morning before the procedure (but that may be due to battery depletion on my old pacer). 

I doubt my EF has recovered much, but I will try to find this post and reply back once I have my follow-up appointment with my EP-doc in 3 months.