Ejection Fraction and Pacemaker/ICD

My cardiologist is concerned that my EF, over the past 5 years, has gone from 44 to 33 to 28. She talked about being on the downward slope and is talking about needing a transplant down the road, etc. Happy conversation (not).

I feel great, an considered Class 1 with no symptoms.I have a pacemaker/ICD in place, but it needs a third wire connected so it performs as a CRT.

Question for the group is if a pacemaker has inmproved EF in your case.  or if you have seen your EF increase after it has gone down.

 

Thanks

 

 

5 Comments

EF

by ROBO Pop - 2019-03-22 12:50:19

I've had a CRT-D for 12 years and am paced 100% in both ventricles. My QRS delay is like a month and no I haven't improved, I'm at 20%.

Here's the truth, absolutely some people benefit from a CRT (AKA Bi- ventricular) device, but there's no guarantee. I'm one who should have benefitted but the damage to my heart is too severe to over come.

You are asymptomatic so were I you, I'd get a second opinion. Fact is with the tolerances on EF tests it could easily be interpreted as your EF remains unchanged. Much has to do with who reads the test.

Pacemaker and EF

by Theknotguy - 2019-03-22 16:30:19

I'm not going to get into the discussion about pacemaker's and EF.  I do have an alternate suggestion about heart valves in general.  

Past repair for heart valves was to open the chest and go in through the heart to make the repair or replace the valve.  The latest thing going on by Medtronic is to do an advanced surgical procedure that goes in and repairs the heart valve via a surgical entry through the groin.  It's a lot less invasive, faster recovery for the patient, and less of a chance of infection.  Granted, infections are running at 1 percent in the US, but you still don't want to be in the 1 percent group.  

Web address for some information is: https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/surgical-heart-valve-repair-and-replacement/mitral-valve-repair/what-is-it.html

Medical advances are being made every day and the future may not be as grim as you have anticipated.  I hope things start going better for you.  
 

EF Improvement

by Grateful Heart - 2019-03-22 18:33:24

My EF was 24% 10 years ago.  About 6 months after my CRT-D implant, my EF was 50% and more than a year later was 55% .  I didn't think I had symptoms but in hindsight, I did have SOB when walking a very short distance.  I was also diagnosed with SSS, LBBB, cardiomyopathy - enlarged heart.  I am also paced 100% in both ventricles.  

I am one of the lucky ones who has had great improvement from having a CRT.  As Robo said, there are no guarantees.  Hopefully you will see improvement.

Grateful Heart

EF changes

by donr - 2019-03-24 20:25:36

I had an EC in th fall of 2017  EF reportrd as 40% when it had been at normal range previously.  Fast Fwd to last week - differrent tech doing the job.  She told me that I looked perfectly normal - in the 50%+ range.  Get the official result tomorrow. New meds, fewer PVC's.  Will let you all know answer frm the "Great Man" tomorrow.  Tech told me that my situation could be because my heart was "Stunned" for some reason - Perhaps the excessive PVC/PAT's.  She has many yrs experience & has never been incorrect in the past when answering questions.

Donr 

thanks

by lefty2 - 2019-03-25 12:03:58

I appreciate everyone's comments. I had been told that MUGAs are the best way to measure EF. But, as been pointed out, the results can be interpreted differently. I had one years ago and the tech said it was 38. I told my cariologist it could not be right sine I felt to good. She looked at it and said it is actually 50.

What bothers me is that my cardiologist does not seem to care as much anymore and will not question results.  

 

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But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.