Pacemakers

I received a Sorin pacemaker in the Summer of 2009 and my last two pacing sessions have been to check my battery. At my last session (4.6.2018) the nurse told me she would put me on the replacement programme and that I would be called in within the next six weeks. I assume this means I am in ERI stage.

However, three days later I received an appointment for a echocardiogram later this month and am wondering why. Is an ''echo' standard treatment prior to replacement? Or was the nurse not telling me something? I am not worried about the replacement procedure since I have had leads replaced before.

G.E. Willey.

UK.

 

3 Comments

probably standard

by Tracey_E - 2018-06-16 11:42:39

When was your last echo? It's good to have one every few  years to keep an eye on heart function. No big deal. 

Probably standard

by Graham.willey - 2018-06-16 12:33:06

Thanks Tracey. Last echo about 5 or 6 years ago when small degree of ventricle regurgitation found, possibly caused by having two leads, one redundant, through the tricuspid.

I would imagine you're correct and they are keeping an eye on that issue so, as you say, no big deal.

Thanks again.

G

a bit early perhaps

by dwelch - 2018-06-17 20:19:36

When you have pacers for a long period of time like TraceyE and myself and others at this site (30+ years), there can be pacer induced issues.  The heart is supposed to be paced from the middle, the PM leads pace off center, 15-20 years or more and your heart doesnt like it.  For me I think it was not long after that 10 year mark, they started doing annual echos.  Due to insurance company wars, moving and other I have had a handful of doctors.  It was during one transition where this started, but it continued up until and possibly for another year as I finally reached the point where I was affected.  They put a biventrical or basically a three lead pacer so the ventricles can be paced with separate pulses, to try to smooth out the rythm.  It worked my ejection fraction had been on a steady decline down until it dipped into the 30s and they acted.  it has returned into the upper 40s as a result of the new pacer.

 

Independent of generator changes, expect the echos to increase to once a year as you head down this path maybe at 10 years they go to once a year, maybe 15, maybe 20, depends on your plan and doctors.  

They could be looking for other things based on your condition, certainly, but independent of your condition long term pacing is something they should be keeping an eye on.

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