Pacemaker syndrome?

Had to see my EP this morning. I have pacemaker syndrome. Settings are placed back to original (been changed way too many times). Down side is I'll be pacing back up high 90%s and echos much more often to monitor heart muscles. But due to my issues with AV node. There was too long of a pause between upper and lower and they just don't sync together. I knew something was not right. Pounding, irregular beats in neck, light headed, headaches etc, shortness of breath..
Any one else have similar issue or been diagnosed with pacemaker syndrome. It's either- feel better but at risk of deterioting ventricular muscles with high pacing...or have settings set for less pacing but where my Chambers aren't in sync.

4 Comments

Pacemaker Syndrome

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-20 08:36:19

Which "pacemaker syndrome"? It sounds like PIC (pacemaker induced cardiomyopathy). If so, a CRT pacemaker is the normal treatment. Do you have heart failure to go along with it?

Which chambers aren't in sync? A two-lead pacemaker should keep the atria and ventricles in sync. If the ventricles are the issue, a CRT pacemaker is the answer (or perhaps Bundle of His pacing). It doesn't sound like they're doing either? More information would be good

 

AgentX86

by My3sons845 - 2019-03-20 08:55:44

I have dual but my atrial wasn't contracting . Because of my AV node re-entry there's too long if a pause between my upper and lower Chambers. My EP said a type of pacemaker syndrome and basically I'll be ventrically paced. I believe it's ventricular dysscrony.. sorry auto correct. I'm not sure.

I just know I was having major pounding, double strong beats, skipping beats etc in my left side of neck. And I've had all arrythmias.. in past. These were new to me.  I am very confused, scared and not sure what is going on. I'm sorry 

Ventrically paced

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-20 23:16:01

Is your atrium not contracting because it can't or is it not getting the electrical signal?  If it's physically damaged, pacing ventricles makes perfect sense.  If the atria don't work, well, they don't work and there is no point in pacing them.  It makes sense now.  If the atria did function, I'd imagine they'd do an AV ablation and then use a normal two-wire pacemaker.

AgentX86

by My3sons845 - 2019-03-21 06:52:24

 

Good morning....

I have the dual lead. One in atrium, one in ventricle. I did have 1st and 2nd degree AV heart block prior to PM as well as av re-entry and one if my many ablations years ago for that as well.

I know my echo showed barely any atrial contractions if any and lack of P waves but an A wave.

I need to make a list to ask my EP for 2 weeks when I have to call to let them know how I'm feeling. So far no strong hard weird beats in neck but brisk walking still causing shortness of breath.

Basically my summary states:

Patient seems to be feeling a form of pacemaker syndrome since the programming I was in was designed to avoid ventricular pacing unless absolutely necessary. As a result, this would "allow" for significant "delayed" between top and bottom chamber activation.

We reprogrammed the device to program dual chamber which will result in more bottom ventricular chamber pacing. One long term concern is potential deterioration in left ventricle function.

Sadly still not sure of any of this.

 

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.