I have an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow and my first interrogation of my pacemaker. Are there any specific questions that I should ask? I am new at this and just seeking advice. Thanks so much!

 

 

yes, ask for a print out or record of your pacemaker report!! and some people on this website can and will decipher it for you. just a good piece of paper to have.

Pookie

 

You can ask a copy of your interrogation report. See how many events that you have for a period of time. It also printed all your pacer/ICD information there. First time, I think your EP needs some detail (your pacemaker ID card) to key in all your pacer serial number, model, leads etc. A copy of interrogation report will be very useful that I found.

My EP told me didn't record any event. He only printed 4 pages for me. But I went back 2 months later and told him I want to change the setting. He brought up a stack of at least 20 pages of record, which inc. some events ECG printed.... He was lying to me.

He also said my ventricle was being paced 46% during one year. I told him I saw it said paced >99% on the same report. Then he asked me to show him. I pointed at his copy. He read out loud but skipped the word "ventricle". Then I asked him what's that line respresent to? He read a full line, slow down, with the tune low on the word "ventricle". He looked a little while on his report then he said, "OK, let's check it out!"

Why EP wants to do that? I don't know. All I think the advise from a nurse is right.

Lets us know, how you go with that?

 

I hope everything goes well for you.I just received my pm about a year ago.Don't be afraid too ask your doctor any questions you may have.they are there too help you

Good Luck
seeker581

 

Getting this report is very important. Be sure to ask for the pre and post report. The pre programming report will have information on how it was programmed and information on events that have happened since implant. The post report will show the settings after programming. My Medtronic report has one section that will show a list of changes that were made.

frank

 

At each check I ask three thing. How is the battery doing. What events if any have been recorded. And most important what is the impedance of each lead fitted. I compare the impedance with previous readings to see if there has been a significant change which would indicate a problem looming for your leads.

 

I got a printout at my first interrogation and found that nobody but my PM Tech really knew what 99% of it meant (it was 10 pages long!!!)

I agree it's still good to have, especially if you travel (hey, you never know if you might need to see a PM Tech in another city and I'd rather not have to wait for my records to be sent from home.)

Anyhow, about your questions - I found it useful to write down my questions before my interrogation.

I try to keep everything in layman's terms too like:
Do you think my leads are okay? (unless you know how impedance/resistance works, them telling you what your lead impedance may not be too useful to you.)

I also tell them about any strange feeling I may be having (relating to my PM) and ask what they think might be causing that.

They will usually tell you what your battery life expectancy is (probably the question they are asked the most.)

A good PM Tech won't mind telling you what ever you want to know.
Before you know it - you will find yourself knowing quite a lot about PMs!

 

Pete,
Thanks for mentioning this one.

Lead impedance is a good one to track. It may drift up and down a bit, but a large change isn't a good sign.
For those who don't know what this means, lead impedance is a measure of the nature of the connection between the lead and your heart wall. A large increase may indicate a lead that has come loose. A large decrease would indicate a possible short circuit. Heart wall damage as in heart attack or infection could make it go either way.

frank