re:PVCs

Frank - thanks for the comments about the pacer vs. PVCs. I didn't think the Jumping around in my diaphragm was PVCs. My doctor told me that because he couldn't think of any other reason other than possible "referred" electricity which passes thru connective tissue. Then He came up with the idea of PVCs which I still don't believe. I still think it's the PM causing the "jumping around". The lower setting of 130 has diominished the "jumps" significantly but I can't carry on my extra activities. I'm going to have the St. Jude rep set me back up to 140 and see if the jumps increase.Any more insights before I go back on Aug. 8 would be greatly apprciated. I am new to the club and I think I can learn more from others that have PMs than I can from the rep. Thanks again. Arizona

1 Comments

Another thought

by ElectricFrank - 2011-07-30 01:07:59

Check whether the pacer is in unipolar or bipolar mode. In unipolar the current from the leads in the heart return to the pacer though body tissue. In bipolar it returns via the outer shield on the leads.

Unipolar is notorious for causing twitching muscles along the path between heart an pacer. This mode is rarely used unless there is a lead problem. Sometimes they will try to avoid replacing a bad lead by going to unipolar and turning up the voltage.

If you haven't already, ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report. That gives us a way of making sense out of things.

best,

frank

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.