Looking for pacer that works best for cycling

I've had a Guidant for 7 years and need to replace. Guidant has a secondary setting to increase heart response to exercise. Because the torso doesn't move much this feature is particularly good for cycling.

My insurance doesn't have contract with Guidant. The two options I have are St. Jude and Medtronic.

I'm an athletic biker gal and want to keep exercising to moderate extreme. Does anyone have any experience with either of these pacers' ability to serve serious cycling?

I sure would appreciate it.

7 Comments

Medtronic

by MSPACER - 2010-10-17 08:10:04

Hi

I'm a serious cyclist also, and have a Medtronic, although I don't need the rate response feature turned on. I'm not sure how the rate response works on the current Medtronic pacemakers, but when I had it turned on for a while on the old one that I had, the slightest bump or movement would activate it, so even though your upper body does not move much in cycling, I'm sure it would work. But, you should ask the doctor about the features.

I would think that you would need new leads if you are going with a different company. You should definitely find out, because if the doctor has to put new leads, the surgery is more complicated. Then you could end up with two sets of leads in your veins which isn't so great, unless the old ones are removed, and that isn't such a great thing either! Maybe you can get your insurance company to approve the Guidant since you already have the leads which I'm assuming are still good. The insurance may end up paying more for a more complicated surgery switching to a different brand.

Medtronic and cycling

by lmaak - 2010-10-17 08:10:33

Thanks for the info.

It is my understanding that the Guidant has a respiratory rate response feature that neither St.Jude nor Medtronic have and both companies claim unnecessary given their configuration. Do you know if the Medtronic you have actually has a rate response feature at all?

Also you mention "the old one" is this a new Metronic or the one you got in '02?

Doc said the leads are good and usable with different pacer. Thank Gawd.

I'm cheered to know your Medtronic actually works when you're cycling.

Thanks for the info!

Medtronic Adapta

by MSPACER - 2010-10-17 09:10:10

I have a Medtronic Adapta. I got this one as a replacement this year. It does have a rate response feature, but I think it only works with movement. It definitely works better for me than the old Kappa. It is supposed to pace you less in the ventricle, and simulate a more natural heart beat.

Rate response

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-18 01:10:53

The first question is whether you actually need rate response. If you only have one of the so called "heart blocks" there is no reason for RR. In this case the pacer uses your natural sinus pacing to control ventricle pacing. This gives you a very natural HR response to exercise.

If you have Sick Sinus Syndrome where the problem is with your natural sinus pacing, then you do need RR. Medtronics has a wide range of pacers and would likely have what you need. The various manufacturers are constantly chasing each other to compete. I have found Medtronics to have very good support and am happy with their reps which I see periodically.

By the way there are lead adapters that allow you to continue to use your existing leads across make/models as long as they are in good shape.

Here is a crazy suggestion for biking. If you have RR turned on you can increase your HR by "twiddling" the pacer in its pocket. You might be able to find some kind of small shaker (like cell phones use) to put over the pacer. I'm sure the cardiologist will love that idea.

best,

frank

Rate response

by golden_snitch - 2010-10-18 06:10:28

Hi,

Medtronic and St. Jude pacers both work (and all have) with accelerometer (movement) sensor for rate response only, except for the old Medtronic Kappa 401 SR that has accelerometer + minute ventilation.

I had this old Medtronic Kappa, and when I needed an upgrade to a dual-chamber pacer I did lots of research on newer pacer models with this dual-sensor rate-response. Finally, I chose a "Reply" by Sorin Group because this is the only pacer besides Guidant with accelerometer plus minute ventilation (isn't it Boston Scientific now?), and it has some other pretty fancy features that suit young patients' needs well.

Best wishes
Inga

Medtronics and Cycling

by ldeibler - 2010-10-18 12:10:22

Hey sister, I have a Medtronics PM and don't have rate reponse turned on. I do a lot of mountain biking and my upper body is constantly moving...When i get my PM checked -- no problem!!!

Good luck with your search and your surgery!!

Reporting back on Metronic pacer and questions

by lmaak - 2011-04-23 02:04:02

Hi all,

I apologize for not reporting back re what happened. THANKS so much for your info. I shared with my doc and we decided on a Metronic Kappa 4KDR 403. It works fine biking and for regular live but I have some questions. It's a slightly different shape than the Guidant and definitely slightly bigger. I'm relatively small 5'6.5" and 120 lbs but most relevant is I've a really small frame. Thus the "little" increase is big to me. It was implanted in January and I am still experiencing pain in the area, when I move, wake up, general discomfort. It feels like it's jammed in between my clavicle and shoulder in an uncomfortable way. It's really irritating me physically and psychologically. Has anyone else of similar proportions experienced this?

What I learned from the doc is that it seems that it's an "older model" and the newer ones don't have the with accelerometer or whatever it is that increases heart rate when I'm biking. It seems ODD that as the baby boomers are getting older they wouldn't have this feature as standard. Goodness, isn't the point to exercise so we don't decay?

I am open to approaching Metronics to share my experience and point of view. Am interested if I'm a lone wolf or if there are others that have similar experience.

AND, do these GD pains go away eventually? My doc said that it might be because it's an implant over scar tissue. I'd love to know. Am hoping it will abate in the next few/6 months.

Biking is GREAT! YEAH! Anyone in Santa Rosa CA area who wants to bike? Always looking for buddies.

Thanks!
Laurie

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