Query

Hi

Been reading a few posts and whether I am reading these right or not I am note sure. Perhaps those who know more can help.

Am I right in reading that a pacemaker if a dual chamber can lead to heart trouble or heart failure?

Just beginning to get a bit anxious here.

Help

Jules

10 Comments

Interesting

by cottontop - 2008-03-18 05:03:35

Jules,
Where did you get your info from? I would like to check it out. I already have heart failure,leaky mitral valve, restrictive cardiomyopathy,arrhythmia problems,sick sinus syndrone,heart block, and my lovely pacemaker! I have been having problems with heaviness,pressure in chest and throat when I get up and walk a short way and my heart rate jumps up from low 60's to over 100. If I sit down within about 10 minutes it gets better. I sure don't need anything else. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I also have a Medtronic Dual Lead Pacemaker for 8 months.

Bring on the knowledge!!!

Amy

Dual Lead PM Causing Problems

by BOB 1 - 2008-03-18 06:03:23

Yes, apparently a dual chamber pacemaker can cause heart failure. It has something to do with pacing the ventricle and atrium getting the chambers out of sync, or something like that. But it is very rare. A lot more rare than not having a pacemaker can lead to heart failure.

I read an article on the subject sometime ago and the thought went through my mind (I have a dual chamber PM pacing both chambers) that if that happens to me, heck it just my time to go. I figure it is about the same probability as me being struck by a meteorite.

Well then, am I doomed?

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-03-18 07:03:42

I have a dual chamber pacemaker, and my atrial lead has been turned off because of incessant Afib causing the battery to deplete too fast. The pacemaker was trying to match beat for beat, using too much juice in the process, and getting nowhere.
Now, the atrium is left to beat erratically all by its lonesome, while the ventricle only is being paced. I'm 100% dependent.
So, if the ventricular lead acts up, what then??? Good bye Charlie?

~ Dominique ~

Hi Jules

by bini - 2008-03-18 08:03:29

I asked my Dr. if there is danger in having a duel chamber PM. He made it seem that the only risk is if you ventricle is beating 50% or more of the time.
He siad that this can cause the heart size to increase and that in turn may cause some risk. However, he said it can be treated very easily by just turning down the ventricle pacing so it beats less then 50% of the time....then the heart will go back to regular size.
They can determine if this is happening to your heart by doing a simple ultrasound.
He has put my mind at ease with this whole situation. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Hope this helps!

Christine

Attention Electric Frank & Smitty!1!

by Rewiredaussiegirl - 2008-03-18 08:03:59

I am sure we will get a correct answer on this when when Electric Frank and Smitty log on !
I have a duel chamber pacemaker and.I will ask when I have my PM check 2nd April.
Dont panic everyone.Im sure we will be alright!!

Kay

Yikes

by ElectricFrank - 2008-03-18 09:03:00

I go for a hike in the desert and all hell breaks loose!!!

Let's see:
1. A pacemaker should never do anything bad to a normal heart, because it shouldn't have been implanted in the first place. Of course we do have some incompetent docs out there.
2. I suppose if the timing between atrium and ventricles wasn't set correctly it could put an additional load on a already failing heart.
3. A dual chamber pacemaker can be doing a number of different things depending on your need. It can sense either one of the chambers or both, and pace either one of the chambers or both.
4. Dominique, if the pacemaker paced the ventricles at the rate of atrial fibrillation then you would have ventricular fibrillation and your life, not battery life, would be short. Actually, modern pacemakers have an afib detection to prevent this. This is like a case where the doctor is telling you a story or you are misunderstanding him.
5. Christine, I don't understand what the Dr means by beating 100% or 50% or the time. Again this sounds like one of those doctor tales to make the patient happy.

So, I suggest calming down. For what it is worth, I'm not worried. My ventricles are happy being paced 100% or the time and they just carried me to the top of a small mountain in the desert. Some day they will quit and I will die, in which case I think I will stop climbing mountains.

best, frank

Hey Frank

by Jules - 2008-03-19 02:03:35

Welcome back Frank from hols. Thank you also for putting me straight, another thing less to worry about.

I feel that living in France does not give me the opportunity to ask all the questions I need because of the language barrier. In future I shall just ask yourself or Smitty.

Thanks guys for all the comments.

Jules X

Jules X.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-03-19 05:03:59

I'd be happy to help you with the translation of whatever you need to ask the doctor, prior to your appointment.
I can't guarantee that they will be to the letter, because I'm not that familiar with French medical terms, but I saw a doctor while visiting my family in Paris, after getting bronchitis, and I expressed myself quite well.
I'm still here, and I was even prescribed medications. Lol.
Seriously though, don't hesitate to ask me for help.
I was born, raised and educated in Paris France. I think I can manage.

~ Dominique ~

Query

by SMITTY - 2008-03-19 07:03:01

Based on the following I have to guess the answer can be yes or no. It just depends on what your problems are when you get the pacemaker, or what develops after getting one.

"The report describes a woman with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in whom initial hemodynamic improvement by dual chamber (DDD) pacing with short atrioventricular delay was excellent, but severe mitral regurgitation developed during the subsequent follow-up period, resulting in refractory congestive heart failure. There were two possible explanations for the origin of the complicating mitral regurgitation in this patient: pacing-induced semiclosure of the mitral valve, or left ventricular asynchrony caused by right ventricular pacing.

Heart failure in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who undergo placement of a DDD pacemaker to improve not only mitral regurgitation but also heart failure symptoms can be associated with systolic mitral regurgitation as the cause of failure in
DDD pacing therapy."

Smitty

To electricfrank

by bini - 2008-03-19 08:03:03

I think there must have been a miss understanding. This Dr. who is very well quilified told me that if the PM is pacing the right ventricle 50% of the time or more....then this can lead to your heart expanding. He said this really isn't anything to be concerned about and can be treated by decreasing the ammount of pacing it does.
He id say this is limited to certain PM's like my biotronik. Anyway, I just wanted to clarify bc I am not sure if you understood my answer.

Christine

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Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.