CRT-D

My husband just had surgery to replace his 2 lead ICD with the 3 lead variety in July. He has been feeling better, more energy and most of all NO shocks. One problem has appeared, doesn't it always, his breathing is not as good as it was with the previous ICD. He does have COPD, but has never had a problem being short of breath. Could the new 3 lead ICD be contributing to his breathing problem, he cannot walk around the block without having to stop to catch his breath, he gets light headed and breathless. Could this new ICD need to be adjusted, maybe his lungs are trying to keep up with his improved heart function..I don't know but if any of you have run into this problem I would appreciate any and all answers..thanks

3 Comments

I think I have the answer.

by MRSNO1MAX - 2009-09-11 10:09:07

Cissie,
The same thing happened to me and it was horrible for over a year. It was the settings that were wrong. If you would e-mail me I will tell you the whole story. My E-mail addy is MRSNO1MAX@AOL.COM.

3 Lead pacer adjustments

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-11 12:09:26

This is only a guess, but I would think the 3 lead pacers would be more sensitive to adjustment since the idea behind them is to pace each ventricle separately to optimize timing. If not adjusted right they also would have the ability to mess up timing more than a 2 lead.

frank

breathing issue CRT-D

by mrag - 2009-09-11 12:09:48

My EP just suggested I "move up" from a plain old ICD when they replace my battery in 6 months or so. He felt it would be particularly helpful with edema and breathing. That aside, I found the following recent response on a board similar to this (they do ICD's):

"How ever as to improvement in your breathing I had a problem with the phrenic nerve and my diaphram jerked every time my CRT paced. The EP had turned the voltage as low as he could and still keep pacing and I thought that I would have to learn to live with it, but the twitch stopped after 36 hours . I called him and went back to the implant lab to have it checked out every thing was OK and they decided to adjust the voltage on the ventricle pacing . Just as soon as the tech hit the enter key to bring up the voltage I felt an immediate improvement in my breathing. I never thought a person could be tuned like a radio. You know when your stereo is not quite on the station and you adjust the tuning and the music becomes clearer. That is what it was like. If your EF is low enough the insurance Co. will pay for the CRT-D. Just depends in how bad of a shape you are in."

Sounds like your husband just needs some fine tuning. Good luck.

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Member Quotes

Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.