Best pacemakers.....?

Hi to all:)
I will have my pacemaker replaced soon. Since I had an AV-node ablation I have a dual pacemaker..and I am totally dependent. I do not know almost anything about pacemakers.
Which once are good or not so good. I need to get to get something very dependable...since my life depends on it:(.
Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Anyone else here with an AV-node ablated?...I did meet one person from UK.

Thanks
Krys
PS: I did post my first question here a few days ago. It was about 3-leads pacer (the 3-lead working as a back up). I would like say thanks to all of you who left comments on that subject.
And going back to that. Do anyone knows if that kind of pacer w/3-leads (one as a backup) if now on trials?.
Actually 2-pacers in one..working independently from each other..using the same battery. One of them is a dual pacer..the other one is a single. I am just asking this because by now I am very confused. I got a different info. from my doctor about that 2-weeks ago. And 3-days later I got different info. from his nurse.
So, far I been waiting home for my doctor to call me back on that subject for 7-days:(.
Thanks again.

5 Comments

AV Node Ablation Person

by disco - 2007-09-19 07:09:05

I had AV Node Ablation at University of Michigan in May of 2005 and I am doing great. I feel so much better than before with Chronic Atrial Fib. that was no longer responding to medication. I have a Guidant Insignia Ultra DR.

Biventricular Pacemakers

by BABlocker - 2007-09-19 09:09:45

Krys,
I have a 3 lead PM (biventricular pacemaker) after having an AV Node ablation on August 10, 2005. The third lead, although it can serve as a "back-up" is there to synchronize the ventricles and the septum between the ventricles to prevent cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure. That is the main purpose of the third lead which works to simultaneously pace the left ventricle at the exact same time as the right ventricle. Here in the US, most manufacturers have BiV PM models. Mine is a Medtronic Insync III 8042. So, it is not 2 pacers in one...it is programmed to fire both ventricles together when the atria signals the pacemaker to pace the ventricles or anytime the ventricles are being paced.

A pacemaker works in the following way: When your Sino-atrial Node produces a signal for your top chambers to beat, your atria contract. In a normal heart the contraction of the atria is communicated through the Atrio-ventricular Node to produce a contraction in the ventricles. Because your AV node will be destroyed via the ablation, the top chambers of your heart can not communicate with the bottom chambers of your heart, thus the need for the pacemaker to do this for you.

So, the SA Node produces a signal for the atria to contract. With each contraction, the atria then signal the pacemaker to "pace" or mechanically contract the ventricles, after a delay to pump the blood out to the lungs or the rest of your body. The rate of your top chambers dictate the rate of your bottom chambers, up to the limits set on your pacemaker. For instance, my lower limits are set to 75, which means that my heart will never go below 75 or thereabouts. My top limit is set at 150, which means that the atria can go as fast as 150, signaling one ventricular beat for each atrial beat up to 150. After 150, my pacemaker will start dropping beats until it paces me back below 150 once again.

If I am in atrial fibrillation my atria are beating at <400 beats per minute, so of course I don't want my ventricles beating that fast. So my pacemaker will stop tracking my atria and "switch pacing modes", and only pace my ventricles. I have a rate responsive model, which responds to vibrations (chest movement with respirations), and will raise my heart rate accordingly as I exert myself. It is then set to slowly lower my heart rate as the demand gets less.

You can discuss the model that your doctor is thinking of implanting based on your particular health needs, and what is available where you are living.

Hope this information helps. Don't hesitate to ask questions.

From a rep

by enzobake - 2007-09-20 08:09:01

You MUST do your own research. Most physicians have relationships with the various device company reps and quite simply you can not be assured that you are getting the best device for your particular condition. With that being said the vast majority of modern devices do the "basics" just about the same, so if you have no particular special need that only one company offers, you will be just fine with what your doctor advises. But please take the time to ask your Dr WHY he is giving you a certain device, and then take the time to do a little work on your own.

AV-node ablation here

by pacer2day - 2007-09-20 09:09:48

Yes, I had FOUR ablations to the AV-node for SVT/AVNRT and now have a pacemaker for the resulting SSS. I even still get the SVT so it didn't work I am still on beta blockers.

a.v node ablation

by twiggy - 2007-09-25 12:09:49

Back in 1993 i went in for a WPW ablation which was located on my av node. I am 100 percent dependant. I am on my 3rd pacemaker which is a guident. I did excellent with no meds until 9 months ago. I am now on .25 digoxin.

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