1st Checkup, Pacing 99% / 47%

Great Site!! I've learned a lot in the past 2 weeks since my pacemaker implant and hope to learn more!

I had my first follow up on Thursday, the tech said there could be a problem with one of the leads placement but they would wait and see and make changes slowly. If they have to turn something(?) up too high, it may quickly drain the battery - but it might work better on its own? Does someone know what she was talking about? My Atrial paced was 99% and Ventricular paced 47% - The Rate Response Accelerometer is ON - I did get a copy of the before and after adjustment reports as I've read several people recommend.

She changed three settings. Atrial Sensitivity went from 0.50 mV to 0.25 mV. The Accelerometer Activity Threshold went from "Medium" to "Med-Lo". The Accelerometer Response Factor went from 8 to 9. Can someone tell me what these changes will do?

So far I haven't been doing much exercise except some walking - I'm a regular runner and have completed 2 marathon's in 2008 so I was concerned about my low and high settings of 60/130 but she didn't want to adjust these. She said I could start running again in another week and to see how I did - if I got tired or short of breath sooner than before they might make an adjustment. I have another appointment with the Device Clinic in 5 weeks. Does anyone have any comments on these numbers and is there someone I can E-mail copies of the reports I have that will be able to tell me what parts I should be looking at and if there is anything of interest that I should be concerned about?

Thanks,
Don

2 Comments

numbers

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-31 03:01:29

Not sure what she means by working better on its own but if a lead isn't exactly where it needs to be or has a rupture in the insulation, they can turn the voltage up higher to get it to work. Think of it as running the air conditioning with the window open- it still gets the job done, but your power bill is higher. I've been in this situation for about 5 yrs now. I'm getting 4-5 years out of a battery that should last 8-10. I had a battery change two years ago and chose to let it alone because battery changes are so easy. I'm going to put off getting the new lead as long as I can.

They're usually hesitant to mess with the min/max settings unless you have problems. When you start running again, you'll know pretty quickly if they're not right!

What is your diagnosis?

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-01 01:02:38

What is the problem that resulted in the pacer in the first place? I have an uneasy feeling that the settings are not appropriate for you. The statements she is making just don't make sense.

You aren't going to do much running with an upper limit of 130 yet she is saying you can get started in a week.

The 99% atrial pacing is either the result of a complete loss of sinus rhythm, but more likely the result of a badly adjusted rate response. If the rate response is set too sensitive it will constantly take over pacing from your natural pacer.

I'll PM you with my email and you can send me a copy of the report. I'm not sure what I can find, but will give it a look.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.