great news about lead and question for Electric Frank

Went to my EP yesterday for check. Concerned about lead because I had been told the lead wire could cause wear (and trouble) from swimming by cardiologist. My EP did a PM check and found I have 7 years left on battery...was 5 years at last check. Thats my good news, and even better was being told that there was no wear to my one and only lead and to enjoy swimming as much as I want. The lead wire was not at all tight and lots of coil in the wire. My question to you, Frank, is that under lead summary yesterday the Measured Threshold was
0.625 V at 0.40ms amd Measured Impedance was 604 ohms. In April the measured threshold was 0.500 at 0,40 ms and the impedance was 620. What do the numbers mean?
I had the AV node ablation with total heart block (in afib all the time) and a single wire to the right ventrical. Best of all only one ventrical high rate episode since April (lasting :04 at 219 bpm), and it was in May, two weeks before being put on Coreg... none since!!! oh joy!
Will send some other numbers at another time... now just greatful for that wonderful little pace maker...... aldeer

2 Comments

Lead measurements

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-15 08:10:16

Hi,
The threshold is the lowest voltage level that will cause your heart to contract. Your threshold of 0.626V at 0,040ms is normal for a healthy heart. The actual pacing settings are usually 2-3 times the threshold to assure reliable operation. The increased life is probably due to their settings the voltage a bit lower now that there is some experience with how your heart is responding to pacing. The lower voltage uses less energy from the battery.

The Measured Impedance is an indication of the quality of the connection to your heart wall. Again those are excellent readings and the change from 620 to 604 isn't important. If there was a sudden change that was large like half or double they would probably look into it. Mine has stayed constant for the 4 years I have had the pacer.

Hope this helps. By the way I will be out of town camping in the desert for a few days. The only communication would be by carrier jack rabbit!

frank

Electric Frank

by aldeer - 2008-10-15 08:10:35

Thanks so much, Frank Have lots of fun... aldeer

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You trust technology more than your heart.

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