Surgery for new dual-lead PM shortly

At my last interrogation, I found out my AV synchrony had increased from 53% to 63%. The technician couldn't tell me why for sure, but thought it might have to do with cutting back on my medications for fibromyalgia (which has been improving).

I just got a call to let me know that they will be booking me for surgery shortly to get a new PM with 2 leads. Currently I just have a ventricular lead, which is standard here in BC, Canada. Hence, the AV dissynchrony.

Can AV synchrony keep improving on its own? I guess I do need the atrial lead since 63% is still very low? Is the second surgery easier than the first? Here in BC we have no choice about anaesthesia. It's done with a local. I had to lie flat on my back for 24 hours after surgery in order for the lead to set. That was excruciating and I guess I'll have to go through that again :(.

4 Comments

laying flat

by cropduster - 2013-04-02 04:04:24

I'm in the UK, here it's normal to just have a local, they give you something to make you a little drowsy if you ask for it. I came out of the surgery about 11:00 & I was home for 18:00, the only problem I had was forgetting to take loose clothing & I couldn't get my coat or jumper on, so I went home in a Tee shirt & it's quite cold here at the moment :-)

See if left and right bundle branches can be synchronized...

by Terry - 2013-04-02 11:04:28

...at the His bundle. See: http://PacemakerPatientAdvocacy.com
All the best,
Terry

leads and PM replacement

by pacingwithme - 2013-04-14 11:04:45

I just had my PM replaced and they only gave me a little something in the drip to relax me and just put up a curtain in front of my face. I could feel him cut and stitch me only slightly. I am PM-dependent with dual chamber leads and was only told regarding the procedure that it was a just a matter to removing the existing PM, then screwing the new PM to the leads.

When I got my first PM and the two leads I was put to sleep... not sure why if they do the surgery without putting you out in Canada, and I was kept in hospital overnight. Perhaps because I had been in hospital for three days being monitored when there was an event where the blood in my lower chamber could not get it to the upper chamber. I would have preferred not being put to sleep for the first one now that I got my new one without.

You and the other people on here seem to have so much information about the performance of your PMs and leads. Nobody has explained anything like that to me. I've never heard the terms AV synchrony and dissynchrony. And I only got a phone call saying my last telephone check indicated my batteries were weakening and I needed a PM replacement within four weeks and they sent me a letter to have some lab work done right away.

I hope you have an easy time of it and your mind is put to rest.

cropduster, Terry and pacingwithme...

by Sabine - 2013-04-15 12:04:18

I had my surgery on Thursday. I was too busy getting ready to reply. So much to do, so little energy.

Cropduster, it seems Canada and the UK have a lot of similarities in our medical systems. I shopped for button front shirts and nightgowns ahead of time. My husband helped me get on sweaters and coats. That must have been miserable, going home chilled after surgery!

Terry, I checked out the link you sent. It sounds promising but nothing like that was offered to me. We don't get many choices medically here in Canada. I live in a small town and had to travel four hours for the surgery. I was happy to get the same surgeon who did my first pacemaker.

pacingwithme, I learned a lot from this site by asking some questions and following the links people suggested. My first surgery was quite painful, due to the pocket being made. This one was a breeze until near the end when I had excruciating chest pain. Good that I was awake and able to complain! My surgery was complicated due to small veins and a tight turn to get the atrial lead in. In recovery I had two more painful spasms so they did x-rays, ultrasound and ECG. The pacemaker was working well so they thought the surgery had irritated a nerve. To make a long story less long, I ended up in our local ER on Friday night for more tests and overnight observation. The pain got really severe in my chest and upper back and it hurt to inhale. There was no respite. I was diagnosed with pericarditis! Now I'm taking it easy at home.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.