When to change

Hello
I’ve had a pacemaker now for six years and have regular test on the battery life etc.
What I hope somebody out there knows is?
How do they know when to change, what triggers the decision
And how long after do they actually change it
Being totally dependent on my PM I am obviously quit interested

Stuart

5 Comments

Battery life

by kcruz - 2009-01-12 03:01:51

Each company has their own way of calculating, but from my experience in clinic and what not they state that most devices last 5 to 7 yrs depending on " normal wear and tear" so to say. I have seen change outs as early as 26 months and the longest life I have seen is 10.5 years, the latter is not the norm in most cases.

Determining Remaining Battery Life

by SMITTY - 2009-01-12 09:01:35


Hell Stuart,

Each time you get a checkup a reading on the battery strength is obtained. They know what the battery voltage was when it was implanted, so by taking the current battery voltage and using the time your battery has been in use they can calculate the approximate number of remaining months of battery life. However, a satiety factor is built into the calculation as the battery would never be left in service until remaining voltage was "zero" or too weak to operate your pacemaker. But the important thing is they always predict remaining battery life with ample battery life remaining to serve your needs. As you approach the end of the battery life, you may start getting checkups more often to be on the safe side.

Depending on the make of and model of your pacemaker if may emit an audible signal or some other signal that the battery is getting weak. Your best source of information on your pacemaker is your doctor and/or the manufacturer of your pacemaker.

Another thing you can do is get a copy of the report printout the doctor gets at each checkup. Again, depending on the make of PM you may have the "estimated remaining battery life" shown on the report. I have an 8 year old Medtronic PM and my last report showed that based on "past history" I have an estimated remaining battery life of 23 months.

In nut shell, the remaining battery life is not just "by guess and by God" guess, it is an
in-depth calculation,taking into account several factors that is preformed by the computer at the time of your checkups.

But, again, when in doubt, or if you are concerned, your doctor is your best source of current information on the battery in your pacemaker.

Good luck,

Smitty

change

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-12 09:01:56

I am completely dependent also and have had three changes now. Nothing to it! Every time you get it checked, they get a printout that tells how many months of life are left. If they don't tell you, just ask.

When I get to the last six months, they increase how often I come in, every other month then at the end every month. When it gets to the last few months, I choose a time to get it done. There's plenty of notice so I can pick a time that's convenient for me.

If you do not get it changed before it gets to end of life (EOL), it doesn't just stop working! EOL mode will keep you going with the pm at minimum function for another month or two. Some insurance requires it to get into EOL mode before you can have it changed, but mine has never gotten to that point.

Because no one else said it...

by heckboy - 2009-01-12 11:01:43

I knew my battery was getting low, but it wasn't until I went to the gym that i realized my PM had gone into it's power saving mode. I could tell because I couldn't run my usual warm-up. The power saving mode didn't allow my HR to raise beyond a certain level as a way to preserve power.






St. Jude Pacer

by AHONEYBUNNY - 2009-02-19 01:02:52

my pacer is equipped with a vibrator mode when the battery is too low. it is not a shock or a jolt - it just vibrates like a massager. I have felt it because they wanted me to feel what it was like.

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