My PM has a Patch....

I got my PM on 1/25. I had my FIRST check up yesterday, March 16th. Overall a good one. I got my PM printout and will probably be asking more questions as I have time to "digest" and maybe understand it a little better. I am pacing
AS - VS 8.2%
AS-VP 0.2%
AP-VS 91.3%
AP-VP .3%
MVP On
There were lots of other numbers and stuff. The Estimated Battery is 8 years. She noted, she turned the PM "voltage?"down so it is probably closer to almost 10 years right now.
All this was good news I think.
The Dr was concerned with the way the leads stick up. They are very close to the surface. But, he scheduled another check in a couple of months because the only option would be to open it up again. He pushed and pushed and got it down a little bit, but he said it probably would not stay. He said there was a slight chance it would "seat" a little better anyway. So I am wearing a PM patch(just a piece of gauze) to cover the "stick up" during the day to keep it from rubbing. It isn't optimal, but he wanted to give it time to seat and avoid another surgery if possible. Which I am all for! He did say if I could gain some weight in the PM area that would take care of the problem. HA! If I gain weight.. it ain't in my shoulder!!! LOL
I am on NO medication at this time. The BP is bouncing up and down, with no rhyme or reason. But he said to take it everyday at the same time until I go back for the check of the stick up, and we would review it then. I really don't want to go on medication if it isn't necessary because there are so many side effects.
Overall.. good report.
Oh, one other thing. I will be 60 this year and I know I should have already had the old colonoscopy, but I haven't. I asked about that, because I had seen a post where this could have been a problem. But he assured me the PM should have no effect and is no reason to delay! Darn. He also said he had not had HIS yet and wanted to know if we should do it together. I declined and said he was on his own.
I just wanted to take a moment and Thank EVERYONE here who are such an inspiration to those of us thrown into this bionic world abruptly. You make us feel that we are on a special adventure that is always going to get better and better. Thanks for all the support and encouragment. So many of us here would not make it without your postings.
Have a wonderful St. Patricks Day!
Cherell

2 Comments

Pacemaker Numbers

by SMITTY - 2010-03-17 04:03:49

Hello Qwerty,

I can't tell you what all the readings are, except to say I think they have to do with the timing settings on your pacemaker. The important thing is your doctor was satisfied with what he saw. I would suggest that you continue to get copies of the printouts so that you can compare them and look for changes and then you will have a specific question for the doctor, or whoever is doing the checkup.

As for estimated remain battery life, the numbers you got were, at best, the estimated remaining battery life with your current pacemaker settings, along with how much pacing it does. As the years go by all of these numbers will change resulting in a change in the estimated remaining battery life. I will say don't hang your hat on any numbers you get for estimated remaining battery life right now. A few years down the road the numbers will be much more meaningful.

For example I went along for several years with my PM pacing from 1% to about 6% of the time and even after 7 years I was showing an estimated remaining battery life of about 4 to 5 years. Then I had some drastic changes made in my PM settings and my pacing rate went to more that 90% for the atrial and about 3% for the ventricle and I started getting reports of an estimated remaining battery life of 2 years, or less. In the 8th year I was still getting estimates of remaining battery life of about 14 months, Then shortly after my 9th anniversary it was down to 3 months and I had to get a new pacemaker.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

Medtronic Adapta DR, I guess?

by sherida - 2010-03-17 06:03:28

Dear Cherell,
You wanted to know about the percentages on the print out: AS - VS 8.2%
AS-VP 0.2%
AP-VS 91.3%
AP-VP .3%
MVP On


First you have to know what AS AP VS and VP means.
AS = atrial sense, which is your own rhythm in the atrium.
AP = atrial pace, which is pacemakerrhythm in the atrium
VS = ventricular sense, your own conduction to the ventricle
VP= ventricular pace, pacing in the ventricle.

MVP is managed ventricular pacing. A feature that reduces unnecessary ventricular pacing as fas as possible and safe. As unnecessary ventricular pacing may cause damage of the heart muscle.
It allows your heart to miss 2 ventricular beats, but not consecutive. You won't have any symptoms of 2 missing beats. If a 3rd beat is about to be missed, the pacemaker will respond with pacing. The result is less pacing in the ventricle.
It will change from AAIR+ mode to DDDR mode, and check after several beats if your own conduction is back again and ... change back to the MVP-mode: AAIR+.
The reason why you got this Adapta pacemaker is sinusnodedysfunction, having good AV-conduction.
The percentages show this has been a good decision:
Total pacing in the atrium is 91.3 + .3 = 91,6% of the time, which means the pacemakersensor indicates your heartrate.
Total pacing in the ventricle is .2+.3+0.5% of the time, showing there is good AV-conduction because 99,5% there is your own AV-conduction!!
All together a situation to be happy with! Congratulations!!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask, pm of mail!
All the best
Sherida

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