EP Study

Hi everyone, I am a 70 year old male, with a St Jude CRT-P implanted in July of this year. My recovery went fairly well, up until mid-October, when I started experiencing runs of V Tach during my rehab sessions. As time went on they became more and more frequent and more and more intense. The first thought was pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT), but they could not adjust it out. I am scheduled for an EP Study on January 9. The EP will be prepared to perform ablation if they can identify the source of the arrhythmia. He also is prepared to turn my CRT-P into a CRT-D. In fact it’s highly unlikely that he won’t install the ICD.  That being said, I’ve been told not to drive, excersize, or do most anything until they can get to the bottom of these dangerous arrhythmias.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Has anyone had a CRT pacer retrofitted with an ICD?

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Holidays to all!!

 

 

2 Comments

EP study

by islandgirl - 2017-12-24 10:28:53

Your EP should be a member of the heart rhythm society.  

I got upgraded from a dual chamber pm (due to sick sinus syndrom) to an ICD following a sudden cardiac arrest.  I had an EP study without success to induce and ablate the ventricular arrhythmias. I've been paced a number of times out of lethal arrhythmias but have not been shocked.  Most I was unaware of.  

If you get a device that is MRI compatible, make sure they don't leave any loose wires and the wires also have to be MRI compatible.  

Were you given a life vest to wear for protection?  If not, I would call the EP's office and ask about the life vest and why you weren't prescribed one.  

EP Study

by Beagle - 2017-12-24 13:54:19

Thank you both for your comments. I will look into the life vest. Question... when they upgraded your device, was it removed and replaced, or was it just a wiring change? It was my understanding that they were just adding a lead to the one I have.

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.