100% Pacemaker Dependent
Hi Everyone,
I am a new member here. Last Friday I had a complete AV node ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. I am now 100% dependent upon this pacemaker, which was inserted on January 20, 2014 for a slow heartbeat. It is scary to think that this is the only thing keeping me alive. I try not to dwell on it, but it does creep back into my mind quite often. Does anyone else have these feelings? I would love to hear some comments on this. And how do they replace the pacemaker when it needs new batteries, when a person is 100% pacemaker-dependent?
Narda
5 Comments
dependency
by Tracey_E - 2014-11-12 06:11:35
I was glad to see the first comment was Inga, saved me a lot of typing :o) I was born with av block, so I more or less have the same thing without the ablation. My underlying rhythm has been anywhere from 20 to 60 when tested. I've had 4 replacements without issue, done the same way as Inga with no additional precautions, just moving quickly.
Pacing 100%, throwing around the word dependent, sounds scary at first, but it's really not a big deal. Most of us learn to trust it and eventually stop thinking about it.
I'll point out that every time you drive a car or fly in a plane or dozens of other things, we are dependent on a computer and we don't think twice about it. These little devices are much more dependable than our wonky hearts.
Explanation
by Theknotguy - 2014-11-12 06:11:45
Sorry your EP didn't explain the difference between pacing and dependency. My EP didn't explain that either. Had to go on this forum to figure out the difference.
That first conversation when the EP says you're pacing 80 to 100% is a real thought provoker. Then I figured out I had been going around for years with my heart doing just about anything it pleased. Having a PM that produces a regular heartbeat has really improved my life. It would be kinda hard to go back to the old way now.
Pacemakers are incredible pieces of machinery. Having something that reliable has really improved my life.
Hope you start feeling better.
AV-NODE
by Vinnie - 2014-11-12 07:11:04
Hi Narda; I had my AV-NODE ablated in 2009. I am 100% pacemaker dependent. I do not know what my escape pulse is because it is below 30 and the techs do not check for pulses below 30 ( during office visits ). I had my pacemaker changed in June 2013 -- no problems ---- I don't know if my escape pulse took over during the change or if they had me on an external pacemaker or if the surgeon had fast hands. Any rate all came out well. It seems that experienced surgeons know what to do. Take care.
Vinnie
Confidence will grow
by SaraTB - 2014-11-13 11:11:13
I am 100% paced and didn't know about the escape rhythm at first, but my nurse practitioner explained, and demonstrated it. It's very reassuring to know that you can still function. But, with time, you develop such confidence in the PM that you stop worrying about it anyway. At least, that's been my experience.
When I had my PM replaced, they had an external PM available, but were confident they could do the switch quickly enough that the escape rhythm would be sufficient - I was awake, and aware that the rate was dipping, but it was so quickly accomplished, that it wasn't an issue.
It does take a while adjusting to having a PM, but they are incredibly reliable. What you're worrying about is hardly surprising, but with time I hope and trust you'll come to have confidence that all will be well.
Welcome to the PM Club!
You know you're wired when...
You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.
Member Quotes
Your hearts electrical system has a manmade helper. A helper that only knows to do what it is programmed to do and will perform that function day in and day out, without fail. Now, go enjoy your new grip on life.
Pacemaker dependency
by golden_snitch - 2014-11-12 03:11:43
Hi!
The heart is a fascinating organ, and it's electrical system has several back-up modes. When the sinus node does not function, the AV-node kicks in; when the AV-node does not function, the His Bundle kicks in; and if this bundle cannot produce a heartbeat, you still have the Purkinje Fibers that can do about 15-40bpm.
I have had the same ablation as you, and am being paced in the 100% in the atria in addition. I never say that I'm 100% pacemaker dependent. I have an escape rhythm from the ventricles beating steadily at 30-40 beats per minute. So, this pacemaker is not the only thing that keeps me alive, and I would certainly not drop dead, if it should ever quit its job.
When I had the pacemaker replaced, I had a good escape rhythm too while I was still awake. I got a sedation for surgery, and when the surgeon disconnected the old pacemaker, my heart stopped beating, no escape rhythm. But connecting the new leads does not take much time, so he just quickly put in the new device, and that started working right away. No damage done. We both believe that I only flatlined because of the medication that was used for sedation. Surgeon even said that, the escape rhythm might have kicked in after a while, but he was so quick to replace the device, that the device started working and pacing before the escape rhythm had probably kicked in. He thinks that if I stay awake next time, I'll not flatline.
When my pacemaker is tested at office visits, I ALWAYS have an escape rhythm of at least 30bpm, sometimes 40, sometimes even a bit more. So, despite what happened during replacement surgery, I feel safe, and I do not think that I'm totally dependent on this device.
Hope you'll sooner or later be able to see it from this perspective, too. I know that an AV-node ablation sounds scary at first, and many doctors and nurses say that it leads to total pacemaker dependency, but it's really not the end.
Best wishes
Inga