Biotronik or St. Jude

I know these are both excellent PM's. Well, at least I'm familiar with St. Jude as that is what I have now.
I have been happy with it for the last five years...it's malfunctioning now along with my lead. I have it buried deep, so the thought of having both removed and implanted again is overwhelming to say the least,
I decided against Sorin as there just aren't enough reps around me. Not comfortable with that.
I am scheduled to get a new St. Jude next week after saying "no" to the Biotronik with Home Monitoring. I am petite so my EP feels the St. Jude with Home Monitoring is to large.
NOW- I am rethinking the Biotronik with Home Monitoring which I won't get with the St. Jude.
While maybe not life threatening....my EP may have known much sooner that my PM was under sensing and under pacing had I have had home monitoring....
But I know so many don't have it and do just fine.
I would love some feedback from anyone who went from a device without to one with HM. Especially if Biotronik.
I think I just feel safe with my good ole St. Jude..., but if the HM is a safety net that I really will not realize is even there?
It's funny....I can't even remember much about the first implant other than the first few days were Very painful. I stay completely alert during the procedure as I don't like sedatives.
I am so grateful for those of you who understand this so much better than I do!
All feedback and comments greatly appreciated...

9 Comments

Pacemaker Brands- Thank You

by LIVE_STRONG - 2013-09-16 06:09:24

My EP had me wondering when he said the settings couldn't be the same as they were not the same pacemakers. So I was thinking it would feel different and I would have to get used to it all over again!
Then I immediately said "no" to the Biotronik....well, maybe I should rethink it. Thank you!
Holly

Pacemaker Brands

by donb - 2013-09-16 06:09:33

Since 1992 I've had 6 pacemakers. #1-Medtronic, #2-Medtronic, #3.-Medtronic, #4-St.Jude, #5-Medtronic, #6- Medtronic. I got fairly normal battery life on my 1st three until my body started eroding my 3rd replacement followed by the 4th & 5th which was not a pacemaker fault.
Unfortunately my 5th implant site also developed infection which also infected my 2nd pair of leads which called for antibiotic clean up & implanting my 6th pacemaker.
The only negative I encountered was that my Atrial lead, from my 4th St. Jude failed to capture as my resting heart rate fell below my setting with my 5th Medtronic Implant.
As no infection was found at the site when my 5th Medtronic was implanted & completely eroded again in a few months when an interogation showed no sensing & I was running on my own heart's pacemaker.
Now again, being back to normal & being very aware of my heart's performance I find no differance in any Brand & updated models with my needs. I will be getting my 1st introgation sometime next month.
DonB

Biotronik or St. Jude

by iheartemh - 2013-09-16 07:09:34

I had a St. Jude model implanted on 23 July 2013, and I have "Merlin" home monitor that is hooked up to my landline phone. So far, all seems to be working properly.
Not sure if his helps you in any way.

Thank you iheart...

by LIVE_STRONG - 2013-09-16 08:09:23

My EP said that the St Jude model with Home monitoring would be to large for me as I am on the small side and he places it deep.

Biotronik

by gleesue - 2013-09-16 11:09:49

I’ve had a Biotronik Evia DR-T with home monitoring for a little over a year now and am very pleased with it. I really like the home monitoring as it eliminates some trips to the office. Every few months I get a letter that they will be doing a device check at 2:00am and all I have to do is sleep through it. Also, the daily monitoring is reassuring. If you think something is going on you can call and follow up. They also will contact your Dr. if they see a significant event.

I go to the Cleveland Clinic and this is the one my EP prefers. I do a lot of vigorous exercising and this PM has really help out. My levels of performance are the same to above my performance before the PM.

Good luck with your decision.

Jerry

DR-T ?

by LIVE_STRONG - 2013-09-16 12:09:22

What is DR-T ? And thank you so much for your reply!
I walk a lot. I used to run, but my HR gets to high for me and I get dizzy. Not high enough to warrant an ICD....but I am uncomfortable. So I only need a PM, and I have the Rate Response(I think that's what it is)...so that when I move the pm does not increase my HR.
When I asked my EP if the Biotronik could be set with the same settings as the St. Jude, he said No. They are different so they can't be set the same.
BUT- I wonder now if he understood what I asking.bi would think the Rate Rsponse on a Biotronik could be turned off also.??
I was more asking would it feel different as far as pacing? I know everyone doesn't HAVE to have Home monitoring....but it does seem like a safety net, so if it's an option...why not?

Has anyone ever actually "felt" the difference in the Pacing when switched from one PM to another Brand?

Thanks in advance..

More Biotronik Info

by gleesue - 2013-09-17 11:09:18

Here is some more info. since you are concerned about size. This is from the Biotronik web site:

"This device is tiny, just a bit bigger than a quarter, which is critically important to a young, active patient. It also has a long battery life of more than a decade.”
- Blair Grubb, M.D., Ph.D., University of Toledo Medical Center, USA

Evia is built with 33% fewer components, which not only means a substantial reduction in size, but also a 50% decrease in power consumption.

DR-T offers Early Detection with BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring and an extended device longevity.

St. Jude say's the size of their PM is about two silver dollars.

Hope this helps.

Jerry

Need BIOTRONIK

by ladybug55 - 2013-09-18 10:09:49

Good point ROBO Pop, it does depend on needs probably. I am getting the BIOTRONIK Evia next month because I need it. I have no structural heart problems but bradycardia ( 40-50) caused by dysautonomia. Dr. Grubb, cited above, is installing mine on 10/9. It responds to blood pressure ( mine drops upon standing) and heart rate. That is why I need this kind. I don't care that it is not MRI compatible in US, Dr. Grubb said that is forthcoming.

pat

by henryjclark - 2015-08-16 08:08:03

i just had my defibrillator replaced and i am not happy because the doctor did not tell me that he was not going to replace the old one with a drifferance brand, my old defibrillator is an st jude and i like it because i am ready for something else that i dont know anythig about , i have had the st jude for eight years and i am very happy with that brand please tell me what i must do. henryjclark@gmail.com

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