burst

At my recent pacemaker check the technition said that 4 bursts were recorded amongst other things. What would these be. My pacemaker is DDDR machine. Original fitting took 3 hrs and then a wire was found to be out of position resulting in a further op which also lasted over 3hrs.

6 Comments

Bursts

by SMITTY - 2010-11-04 10:11:40


I can only guess that you had four episodes of fast heart beat "burst" as this in one of the things your pacemaker will record. It will also record runs of Atrial and Ventricle tachycardia and others things I do not know, I'm sure.

I see you have a dual lead pacemaker with the rate response activated. (DDD - means no rate response and DDDR - means rate response activated) To me it is entirely possible the bursts referred to could have been the result of the rate response kicking in, as it is supposed to do, because of an increase in your physical activity.

I would suggest asking the PM wizard that laid that one on you for an explanation, but they have probably already told you more than they know.

Smitty

DDDR Machine

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-05 01:11:43

Smitty,
The pacemakers are called DDDR models if they have the capability of providing RR. To find out if it is activated the report will show the Mode to be DDD or DDDR.

Both my original Kappa 701 and my ADDR01 are considered DDDR models even though RR is turned off.

best,

frank

DDD - DDDR

by SMITTY - 2010-11-05 10:11:16

Frank,

I can't argue with you but I can tell you what I based my comment on about DDD/DDDR. Croesosoft said "My pacemaker is DDDR machine." I assumed he had gotten this information from a pacemaker checkup report under Modes as that is the only place I have ever seen DDD or DDDR referred to on my pacemakers.

The I.D. card for my first shows KDR 703 and then a serial number. The second one shows model number VED R01 and then a serial number. No where on either do I see any mention of DDD or DDDR. Since I have learned here (probably from you) what each of these refers to I was using that information to try to come up with a guess for what was meant by the "burst" Croesosoft was asking about.

Just another case of my making a guess on an assumption. I know both are bad ideas since it possibly involves a person's well being. At least I know how to correct that part.

Smitty

Further to bursts.

by croesosoft - 2010-11-06 02:11:02

Thanks for the info guys. The acronym DDDR came from the data on the ID card UK pacemaker patients must carry. A further remark I heard passing between the 2 techs was that the pacemaker had switched from one mode to another and would not return.
Here is a conundrum, prior to my pacemaker being fitted, every night for years I experienced muscle cramps in my right leg. Since having the pacemaker no cramps.

Cramps etc

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-06 10:11:56

That is a good one. Were you totally out during the implant. They can position you in ways that can put pressure on the spine and nerves. Usually, the result is negative, but who knows they might have relieved some sort of impingement.

Thanks for the update on the source of the DDDR acronym. The only reasons for the irreversible mode switch would be either a pacer failure (unlikely) or a bad lead which switched pacing from bipolar to unipolar mode. These modes are different than the DDD-DDDR. In bipolar mode the pacing current returns to the pacer via a shield in the same lead. Unipolar returns the current via body tissue to the pacemaker case. This mode is more sensitive to causing muscle twitches.

frank

DDD-DDDR

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-06 12:11:54

Smitty,
You are right about the card and even the Interrogation Report not using the DDDR designation. It is only in the technical manual and on the Medronics web site that it is used.

The situation is confusing especially when someone is reporting it to us with information only from the doctor who can also be confused. I thing the best way for us to handle it is to use DDDR Model to indicate that RR is available, and DDDR/DDD mode to indicate whether it is ON or OFF.

I'm impressed at how good our information and suggestions are considering that we don't have a complete medical file on the person asking.

keep guessing,

frank

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