Pacemaker mediated tachycardia

Hi,

I have had pacemaker problems since the end of November when they discovered a lead had moved. The voltage was turned up and the EP said it was fine. Unfortunatley since then I have been anything but fine.
I have congenital heart disease and a right systemic ventricle, I have developed symptoms of heart failure- breathlessness, fluid retention, exhaustion, difficulty lying down and a dilated ventricle, not to mention the tacycardia, feeling faint and chest pressure. Thankfully my cardiologist has been very supportive and finally today the answer was confirmed that I have pacemaker mediated tachycardia. The technician checked with pacemaker people and there are no further adjustments which can be made to my pacemaker.
I am going back to see my cardiologist in 4 weeks and we will discuss with the EP replacing the lead as this is having too big an impact on my life and I have no exersise tolerance.
As I understand it I have developed this because the voltage has been turned up on the lead- which they had to do so the lead could detect, my understanding then starts to get a bit wooly...
My dual chamber pacemaker was implanted dec 09 for heart block- I'm not pacing very much but my battery life is now 3years. Would it be resonable to simply have a new lead placed or would it be better to have a new pacemaker given the battery life- I have to have a general anaesthtic.
Any other thoughts would be very gratefully received.

Vicki

3 Comments

Hi Vicki

by bini - 2010-03-25 07:03:45

I am not sure if this helps at all, (as i am not a doctor) but I am getting a lead replaced and having the battery done at the same time.

I have to get a lead replaced bc it is getting pinched and may fracture soon. I have 2 yrs left on my battery, but my EP said that he will just do it at the same time as the lead. I would hate to have the lead surgery done, then 2 yrs later have another surgery for the battery.

Recovery would be the same as having the PM implanted the first time...and the procedure would be the same as well (unless they have to do an extraction of the old lead).

Anyway, I hope this helps you in some way, but maybe you can bring it up with your doctor.

Christine

thank you

by vicki2806 - 2010-03-26 07:03:22

Thank you to you both for replying.

I live in Scotland so we have the NHS (and the really bad weather)- without getting into any poloitical discussions this means that I have to wait- if I become unwell then I will get seen imediately, however in the meantime I have to hang on in there and just keep going :-)

Christine I'm certainly thinking I'd rather have both done at the same time as it took me a long time to recover from getting my pacemaker implanted first time round.

Can anyone tell me what is involved in simply replacing the lead?

Vicki

Time to get aggressive

by ElectricFrank - 2010-03-26 12:03:02

If a lead has moved and is causing you this sort of problem it is time to have it replaced NOW, not in 4 weeks. Your cardiologist may be nice, but I wouldn't rate him as supportive.

One thing to keep in mind. Most of the insurance companies consider a lead problem some time frame after implant to be a warranty issue. It is common practice to put off the repair until this time has expired so they can charge full rates again.

good luck,

frank

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