defibrillator

Hi. I have had my Medtronic pacemaker for a few years and it has been a God-send. But, lately, I have gone into afib and my pacer can't break me out of it. To make a hugely long story short, I have extreme problems with most meds, have had over 250 sites ablated, an atrial appendectomy, and was the first Texan to have the Maze surgery (unsuccessful). My heart is a real problem child! My doctor is beginning to consider changing my pacer to a combo, adding in the defib function. I have heard horror stories about them malfunctioning and going off, shocking people repeatedly. I even personally know a man who fell and his defibrillator continually shocked him until the EMS guys got there and were able to stop it.
Any comments? I am a little scared at this option.

3 Comments

ICD

by gmnordy - 2008-03-25 04:03:21

Welll, I am having lots of runs of v-tach and I am going to have an EP study April 11. It appears I will probably be going home with a brand new ICD myself. I am not happy about it. However, my PM battery has only a few years left on it so I might as well get something new now.
My mom has an ICD. She has been shocked twice. She said it is like being kicked in the chest by a mule (she is a country gal LOL). That doesnt sound like too much fun to me but I suppose if it is going to save my life I can deal with it.
And wow that story about the man who fell is just awful. I feel really bad for him.
As far as being scared, I am with you 100 percent.
Debbi

ICDs are for ventricular arrythmias

by BABlocker - 2008-03-25 05:03:17

As far as I know, ICDs are only appropriate for people with ventricular arrythmias or for people with cardiomyopathy where the ejection fraction of your heart is less than 35%.

The defibrillator portion will not shock your atria out of afib, only your ventricles out of ventricular fibrillation or sustained v-tach.

I would suggest asking your Dr. (is he an electrophysiologist?) why he feels having a combo ICD/pacemaker would be your best option at this time, and ask him for clinical evidence that you are in fact having high ventricular rate episodes (your PM interrogation report will show this. If you are not already getting a copy of your reports, it would be good for you to request these in the future, so that you are able to see what your heart is doing).

Take the time you need to educate yourself on your condition, what your PM is doing to treat this and what all of your options are. If you are not yet seeing an EP, that would be my next step.

Just my two cents...good luck to you.

I second the suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2008-03-26 01:03:28

I agree comletely with BABlocker. An ICD is unlikely to help afib. Don't let some doc talk you into an ICD without some pretty good justification.

frank

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