BostonSci PM - Diagnostic Testing...

Sounds like a threshold test

by PacerRep - 2018-03-02 23:46:06

The device tests how much electricity it takes to make your heart squeeze. You are probably feeling the ventricular test. Next time you have a live person checking your device, ask them to run the ventricular test in VVI and see if thats the sensation you are feeling. I'm fairly certain thats what it is. No big deal, its just trying to prolong the battery as much as possible automatically.

Diagnostics

by Wildflowermom - 2018-03-03 10:31:10

At my first EP followup they did some diagnostic tests and I mentioned that it felt very similar to the occasional discomfort/palpitations i had been having. (palpitations,nausia, lightheadedness)  He said that it was most likely the programed diagnostics and that I was very sensitive to the pacing. All very normal.  Good luck to you

Threshold diagnostics it is...

by mbcracken - 2018-03-03 10:48:59

Hi All, Thanks for the followup comments.  I was able to reach out to the excellent techs available at BostonSci and he confirmed it was my ventricle threshold diagnostic routine testing.  The randomness of my palpipations correlates with the every 21 hour testing routine.  The threshold diagnostics is verifying the mVoltage is properly setup and will adjust the mVoltage for the PM but will also vary the mVoltage for the next diagnostics running.  That is why sometimes I would or would not feel it.

I am left with three solutions...

1. Leave it and just deal with it...I don't like this option because it is disruptive to me.

2. Turn off the threshold diagnostic because I really don't need the results as the battery saving potential is not that improtant to me since I am pacing less the 10%.  The PM will easily last the normal 10 year rotation.

3. Adjust the threshold diagnostic testing to lower amounts then the conservative range recommended.  The tech actually suggested this one so I can still get the result trends from the threshold diagnostics but not as disruptive to me.

Looking forward to having a discussion with my cardiac office on Monday and making the adjustments.

Cheers, Mike

Shut it off

by PacerRep - 2018-03-03 23:40:01

If your less than 10%, just turn it off. Many devices don't even have this, the tech will set a standard 2:1 safety margin and you will be done with it. You are correct about the battery saving, it's not worth the annoyance when you pace so little.

good luck

HI

by PhilUK - 2018-03-05 05:29:06

 I also had issues with this for the first 12 months of my implant as nobody could tell me what was happening. I experience pulsing sensations from the PM site every 21 hours, 14 pulses. It is that strong you can see it under my shirt. I was very anxious about this for over 12 months until I emailed Boston scientific and saw a new PM tech at hospital. They explained it was self testing and advised I left it on as I pace 100%. It seems the PM can is twitching a muscle nerve at the implant site.  I do feel it in my chest though as you also do but am no longer worried by it after  16 months.

   Phil

All good now...

by mbcracken - 2018-03-08 19:48:13

A couple days ago, I met with my cardiac tech and turned off the threshold diagnostic procedures.  I am also a very active individual that needs the PM to track my heart rate as I exercise.  Gave a big ole boost of confindence to see the data of it tracking my heart rate to be able to catch me if I have another sudden bradycardia event.  Phew...

Cheers,Mike