Can anyone feel the pacing with a Biventricular ICD

I am about to have a biventricular ICD implanted and was wondering if anyone has any experience with feeling the ventricular pacing that occurs during Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy? I currently have a two lead ICD, and can feel the right ventricle pace. My doctor said there is a possibility that the pacing could be felt, and also that it could stimulate the diaphram. Would appreciate any information you have.

7 Comments

Can anyone feel the pacing with a Biventricular ICD

by ajones - 2008-03-01 07:03:16

I have had one for about 6 weeks and I cannot feel the pacing. I have however felt it in my diaphram and still do on every now and then. When they first implanted it, as soon as I got in the shower, I could feel it in my diaphram. I told my EP about it and they said that they would turn down the voltage in a month and that should take care of it. Hope this helps...

Andy

Voltage needs adjusted

by hotform - 2008-03-02 01:03:05

The voltage needs to be turned down if you can feel it in your diaphragm. Mine was like that when I got it every time I tried to take a walk. It took about 3 tune up sessions before everything was working normally. Rick

pacing

by thomast - 2008-03-02 03:03:22

I have had a bi-ven unit 3 years and I have never felt any pacing with it. After I had it about 6 months they had me in to maximise it. They were using ultra sound to look at it while adjusting it. I felt a lot worse after, had less energy etc. After 2 months had them change it back to the original settings, have been OK now for over two years.

Pacing the diaphragm...can be

by bunnykin - 2008-03-02 05:03:54

felt when impulses are too strong from your device; The technician can turn it down somewhat I agree but please do ask your dr to look further into the rest of your ICD readings. eg: thresholds for both A & V leads.
Reason why I say this is cos I had diaphragmatic stimulations for 3 to 4 months thinking it was 'normal' in 2006; However when I didn't really complain and of course my dr and technician were not aware of this, my stimulation got worse over time.
Please note that not every case is this bad; I eventually told my dr about the stimulation when it was getting stronger and more unbearable, and he could actually "see" my shirt jumped in sync to every pacing from the ICD! He noticed the ICD interrogation to be abnormal. Only in Aug.06 after about 4 months an chest xray was ordered for me. The result was my ventricular lead had perforated my heart wall thus the diaphragm stimulation was felt !! This led to an emergency operation to extract the lead and replacement.
Like I said, not all cases will end up this way, but I thought I'll put in my experience and it's up to you to look into your symptoms and perhaps ask your dr next followup what your situation is. Could well be nothing more than just fine-tuning of output.
I hope you will have an uneventful and smooth sailing checkup...all the best!

Bunnykin

Safe comfortable pacing

by Terry - 2008-03-02 12:03:06

Pacing the diaphram caused a sensation like a hickup.

It's likely that if you get pacing that causes a natural contractoin, you won't feel it. According to the literature, it is much safer for you too - less likelyhood of heart failure, according to the MOST Trial (published by Dr. Sweeney). So, ask your EP not to bypass the heart's conduction system by pacing at the bundle of His. He will know exactly what you are talking about. If he appears reluctant, send me a private message and I will let you know of the many EPs who can do it.

Terry

i can feel it too

by lindsay - 2008-03-03 06:03:46

i have a dual chamber pacemaker with two leads and i can feel when each chamber paces also! it is a wierd feeling i can't even begin to describe. also after my surgery i had constant hiccups because my pacer leads were pacing my diaphram! the doctors had to go back in and fix my lead placement.

Hello, fellow OKIE!!!

by morgysmom - 2008-03-22 12:03:40

Hi, Just wanted to say, "Hi!" and hope you're doing well w/your new ICD, if you have it by now. My 15 yr. old daughter has an ICD. This is her 4th device. The 1st three devices were pacemakers only. Her Drs. are in OKC at Children's. She got her 1st pacemaker at eleven days after she was born. I saw the "OSU" on the end of your username & since we are OSU fans too, just wanted to say howdy!! Take care.

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