Post Implanting Problems

Hi All
Insignia AVT DR - Model 1292 GuidantPacemaker was implanted in Oct'2005 in India for the reason that i have had a low heart rate and for pre syncopes episodes. Even after implanting the device i have the same problems which were there prior to the implantation. The settings have been changed numerous times but the problems remains increasing episodes of giddiness, short of breath and even i had a fainting (syncope)
episode too. The problem is that it hasn't made any difference.

Frequent episodes of Sqeezing in the head and during that time iam feeling fatigue. i wonder is that because of pacemaker as it is recalled. One more issue with my pacemaker is that In the month of January 2009 10-15% was Exhausted and ahain when i rechecked in June this year it Exhausted 50-55%. iam wondering whether is there any problem with the device, as it is in recall list.

If it is a manufacturer defect then can i claim for replacement as iam in india.

Is it woth replacing the device? Any ideas or suggestions?
Best wishes
Ben
.

6 Comments

Pacemaker And No Help

by J.B. - 2009-07-04 01:07:39

Ben,

Since Guidant devices have been known to fail, its possible you got a bad one Or, it is possible that the people, including the doctor, didn't know enough about pacemakers to make it work for you. There are a 1,000 plus settings combinations on a pacemaker and if you don't get the right settings you can be worse off than not having a pacemaker.

On replacing the pacemaker, it sounds like you could use one, but only a doctor can tell you for certian if one will help you.

As for getting a replacement I don't know. Guidant is no longer in business having been bought out by Boston Sceintific.

The best to you,

J. B.

Guidant device

by kcruz - 2009-07-04 02:07:32

Ben: Although Guidant has merged with Boston Scientific I can assure you that your device is still covered. It is not uncommon that as the battery ages that the battery live decreases more rapidly. It is similar to the gas gauge of a car, the first have doesn't budge much but once you hit half full it decreases at a faster pace. I agree with Bowlrbob that it seems that maybe they have not adjusted your device to fit your particular issue. One mistake I use to see in the clinic I worked was that when people would have issue changes would be made by sometimes too many at once so you really didn't know which once worked and it became a issue. I would suggest that you see if they would raise your lower rate limit, add rate response or minute ventilation mode which most guidant devices have, and see what that does. One thing you might experience if they do this is that it is harder to sleep at a harder rate, if that seems to be an issue you could ask if they could also add a sleep rate. You might ask too if it would be worth having an event monitor on so that when you start to have symptoms you can activate the monitor and it may catch something that your pacemaker log isn't. hope this helps.

Pacemaker Warranty

by Goliath - 2009-07-04 04:07:55

Don't know about you people but I wouldn't want to put any money on Ben's pacemaker still being covered by a warranty. It was implanted in 2005 in India. That makes the device 4 years old and India is one of the countries that gets some of the refurbished units from various pacemaker makers.

Maybe?

by bowlrbob - 2009-07-04 12:07:28

I had a Medtronic EnPulse put in Oct. 2005 for the same thing as you. The Dr. set me at 50bpm. I was tired all the time and had several dizzy spells and then another blackout after 6 month's. I wen in and my pacer was reset to 70 bpm and the rate drop response feature was turned on. This feature senses when the heart rate drops and Punch's up the heart beat to 100bpm for 2 minutes. This keeps the blood pressure up to combat blackouts. I have not been dizzy or blacked out since and the higher 70bpm put my energy level back to when I was normal. I tell you this for 2 reasons see if your pm has a rate drop response mode it might work for you. The other reason is that if your pm is not working correctly you may need a change. Talk to your Dr. or EP about this you should be feeling better it seems to me. My EP worked a miracle with mine. Bowlrbob

Response

by guidant_pacer - 2009-07-05 02:07:29

Thanks Bowlrbob,J.B,Kcruz and Goliath for your valuable info. Mine is Dual chamber and has an auto rate drop response programming Device. We tried numerous parameters but all in vain. Currently my device values has been set on :-
Brady parameters
Lower rate limit is 60 min-1 and Max tracking rate value is 120 min-1
AV delay(paced) 240 ms
Atrial
Puls width 0.40 ms
Amplitude 2.5V
Sensitivity 0.75 mV
Ventricular
Puls width 0.40 ms
Amplitude Auto 1.6 V
Sensed AV Offset -30 ms
Refractory 250 ms
AV Delay

A-Tachy response is ON
Trigger rate is 170 min-1
Duration is 8 Cycles
Entry Count 8 Cycles
Exit Count 8 Cycles
Fallback Mode VDI
Fallback Time 30 Sec
Lower Rate Limit 75 Min-1

Arrythmis Log book There are about 4500 SBR(Sudden Brady Responses) were recorded since the inception of PM as an average of 4 episodes a day in Arrythmis Log book
My Dr. tried on somany settings For few days it will okay then again the same problem.
I need to insist for Event Monitor as Kcruz said.
I am really supriised that why India is one of the countries that gets some of the refurbished units from various pacemaker makers?

I appreciate further info from all of you
Thanks and God bless u all
Ben

Refurbished Pacemakers Being Used In India

by Goliath - 2009-07-05 10:07:20


For more information on the subject of refurbished pacemakers being used in India contact ranilkumar@eth.net. He is one of the authors of an article titled "Refurbishing Pacemakers: A Viable Approach"

I wish this was allowed in the US. Then more people could afford pacemakers.

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.