Minute ventilation sensor problem

I have just had my third pacemaker, the second with a minute ventilation (MV) sensor.On several occasions while cycling the pacing rate has suddenly plunged from a rate around 160 bpm to 90 bpm, and has taken a couple of minutes to recover to an appropriate rate. The previous MV PM did not exhibit this. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

4 Comments

Minute ventilation sensor problem

by philip.thecyclist - 2013-06-16 02:06:08

Dear Inga,

Thank you very much for your comments. I do indeed have permanent AF with AV-nodal abalation, which I should have explained. The PM is programmed to VVIR. I'm not sure what PVCs are, unless they are things like "extra" beats which cause temporary PM inhibition to occur. Even if they are, the dropped rate can last for a couple of minutes or so, which doesn't seem right, and the pacing rate picks up again quite suddenly. I have a check up on 24th June, and if there is a facility to prevent such rate drops, I hope that does the trick. The problem is occurring with too much regularity to tolerate. Another factor may be that the pacing rate is reaching levels higher than I would expect.

Best wishes,

Philip.

AV-node ablation?

by golden_snitch - 2013-06-16 03:06:47

Hi Philip!

Did you have an AV-node ablation (leading to a third degree heart block)? If so, it could be that your atria fired faster than your upper rate limit is set. In that case the pacemaker is supposed to switch into a 2:1 block or a mode that simply ignores what your atria are doing (VVIR). A 2:1 block would mean that your rate drops from 160 to around 80 all of a sudden. I experience that from time to time, too, when I go running.

However, if your pacemaker is already programmed into VVIR due to your permanent AF, then the explanation above doesn't fit. Not sure what could be causing the sudden drop then. Probably some PVCs with compensatory pauses? Most pacers offer a special feature that prevents sudden rate drops. Maybe you can ask your doctor to switch that on, if it isn't already.

Best wishes
Inga

Overpacing?

by paul6000 - 2013-06-16 04:06:22

Hi Philip,

I think that Inga hit it with 2:1 block. My comment is that unless you are a very competitive cyclist 160 bpm looks way excessive. Overpacing can cause serious side effects so you may want to have your rate response checked.

cheers - paul

Sorry missed your AF comment

by paul6000 - 2013-06-16 04:06:35

OK ,VVIR, not 2:1 block then but overpacing still a concern.

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