Heart failure

Does anyone know anything about a pacemaker causing heart failure after shocking the ventricles for a length of time? Or does anyone know of a site that I could read into about this? The reason is, my son said that he read somewhere about this happening but he couldn't remember the magazine name where he saw it at. He was reading a magazine in a dr's office while waiting. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Pacie

2 Comments

Heart Failure With Pacamaker.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-05-08 01:05:28

Hi Pacie.

A pacemaker, by itself doesn't shock. A Biventricular Pacemaker combined with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator will shock the heart if it senses that the heart is beating abnormally.
As far as your question regarding a pacemaker causing heart failure, I have gone through several different sites, and the only information I could find on the subject is the following...

" The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying health care providers and patients that Guidant Corporation is voluntarily recalling certain pacemakers. A seal within the devices can leak, allowing moisture to affect the electronic circuits. This defect can cause the pacemakers to fail to provide pacing or can cause a rapid heart rate. Other unexpected device behaviors are also possible. The problems may occur without warning and can lead to loss of consciousness, and possibly heart failure and death. "

Everything else states that a pacemaker helps patients with heart failure.
I hope that makes you feel a little better.

~ Dominique ~

Probably a single chamber...

by Swedeheart - 2008-05-08 02:05:15

He may have been reading about single chamber right ventricular pacing. There have been studies, etc. that this can cause increased chances of heart failure. I think that is why most folks received a dual chamber pacemaker and the pacing is often in the atrium, I think. (I am going on memory here...)

Here is a brief article I found: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4365/is_200507/ai_n18950052

Here is another discussing both single and dual chamber pacemakers:
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003710.html

If you have concerns, I suggest you discuss this with your doctor at your next visit! I asked about some of this with mine and the bottom line for me and my heart troubles was: It (pacemaker) won't prolong or shorten my life, just give me a better quality of life.

Swedeheart

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