Question about biventribular PM experience

I had bypass surgery in July of 2009. Since then I've had two episodes of CHF, complications from the surgery (phrenic nerve damage causing a paralysed diaphragm) and have an EF of 30. In November I had a cardiac cath and while I was in recovery a) my cardiologist came in and said he thought I should have a biventricular PM/ICD and b) the EP came in and said I only needed an ICD as I had no electrical or synchronization problems. My cardiologist said he would "talk to the EP". Now he's saying that he's seen a lot of people who aren't the standard candidates have improvement from the bivent and I'm wondering how I can find out what's correct, what other people's experiences are and if I really don't need one, can this cause more harm than good. Thanks in advance!

6 Comments

search CRT

by Tracey_E - 2009-12-18 06:12:11

If you do a search of the past posts here, you can find all sorts of experiences from other members with CRT devices. Many do find that their EF goes up, some quite significantly.

Yes......

by PreciousDays - 2009-12-18 09:12:56

I have a bv - which I need - and which has caused me no end of trouble - a recalled medtronics (sprint fidelas) lead - and a replacement lead - which isn't working correctly - sooooooooo - they can be a pain the ........................chest to be sure - but - it improved my EF from 30 to 45 - I however do have electrical problems - I guess what I am trying to say is - Yes they can help - and Yes they can cause problems. Can you get a second opinion????? Good luck tyty and keep us "posted" pd

My bivent is for January

by realkarl - 2009-12-18 10:12:15

I also had OHS in July, to replace the aortic and repair the mitral valve. My recovery has been pretty smooth, but I have a Left Bundle Branch block, causing the LV to contract much too late. This lowers the efficiency and EF. So even with a not critically low EF at 43% I will have a St Jude CRT-P (no ICD) implanted in January, to sync up the two sides of my heart. My cardio who is also an EP, and the literature I have found, agree the potential for improvement is very good.

I also suffer from moderate but increasing pulmonary hypertension (PH), partially from scar tissue in the lungs, due to the same radiation treatment 25 years ago that damaged my heart. The low LV efficiency is another cause for the increasing PH, which the CRT device via improved LV function will hopefully also improve.

Sorry I don't have any experience to share now, but I am very optimistic about the potential for improved EF and LV function with a bivent pacer...I am however, what my EP/Cardio calls a prime candidate for this sort of device.

It does vary..

by Phillie Fred - 2009-12-19 12:12:59

I had a boston scientific bi-ven put in on Oct 14 2009 after 2 other hear surgeries this year Im 30 yrs old ive had my mitro valve repaired and a myomectomy done but my condition kept gettin worse. Before they put in the bi-ven i was told they were gonna start heart transplant evaluation which im currrently goin through im goin to the Mayo clinic on Jan 6 but anyway at one point my ef was at 6 percent and since the surgery its now been around 15-20 which might not sound like much but is alot better I was told i wasnt a "standard" type canidate for it but it has helped with the ef plus with my recurrin a-fib, anyway like my title says everyone does vary but i was told by 2 surgeons that this type of device is one of the best options to help even if for nothing else but a safeguard for aortic dissections among other things but i guess my main point is a second opion is always a good idea i had one so i wish u alot of luck with whatever path u choose i hope u get some relief id also reccomd checking out bostonscientific.com for some good background and stories from people with the devices good luck happy holidays and God Bless

Hmmm

by pete - 2009-12-20 04:12:24

EPs are only just waking up to the incredible benefits a biventricular pacemaker can provide. I have had CHF and atrial fibrillation and a leaking mitral valve and cardiomyopathy. Enough to kill anyone. I was extremely ill and the doctors expected me to die and told all my relatives I would die. By the skin of my teeth I managed to survive long enough to get a pacemaker. After a Biventricular pacemaker and AV node ablation my heart remodelled itself and I have gone from not being able to turn over in bed to being able to climb a mountain. The doctors cannot hear my valve leaking anymore and my cardiomyopathy is much reduced. If the doctors think you would or might gain from one the I would go for it. Take the doctors advice whatever that is. Cheers Peter

My two cents

by walkerd - 2009-12-20 06:12:29

I had bypass aug 08, they said I had 4 or 5 heart attacks and damaged some of the left side of my heart, approx 4 weeks later saw my cardioligist he wanted to put a pm/defib in as he was afraid I would have another heart attack, and the pm could help my heart function also, but mainly put in for defibulator. After implantation and 5 adjustments because of shortness of breath, dizziness my pm is almost not pacing sorry Frank dont have the numbers, my ef was 24%after surgery, I had an ecko in sept 09 and my ef is around 39% not sure if its the pacer or the right configuration of medication or both. He and I are very happy but like he told me my heart is still damgaged and not repaired just pumping better. not sure if this is any help just my story.
good luck
dave

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