EP follow up

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST

by Gemita - 2020-01-11 19:34:21

Hello  Mallya,

It may have been what you were told, but I was given to believe that a cardiologist takes care of the structural side and the EP the electrical issues relating to our heart. Each one to their own speciality.

I would respectfully insist that you wish to be under the care of a qualified EP in your clinic and if they refuse, then find another centre to attend.  You have every right to expect the best care you can obtain. We only have one life and one heart.  Good luck 

not true

by dwelch - 2020-01-11 19:48:15

Personally, not true.  I have had a number of docs, some I think were titled cardiologists and were both the surgeon and the person that managed the device.  I would see them every visit.

Currently I have an EP and I see her every visit, I first met the cardiologist in the practice and never met him again.  My EP is not the surgeon, that is someone else, I did meet him finally he has put in two devices thus far.  

I see the EP every visit though.

But hanging around this site for a while it may depend on where you live and the insurance.  Personally I would find a new doc/practice if all they were doing is an interrogation with a tech/nurse.  Your mental and physical health should be more important to you than their feelings, so dont be afraid to if nothing else visit another practice or even easier, just call, and ask these questions.  Do I get to see the EP every year or not.  it doesnt matter IMO if the EP is the surgeon or not, let one do their thing and the other do their thing, be a specialist in their field.  But again before this one the doc I saw in the office every year was also the surgeon that put the devices in.

Sort of true--But it's okay

by Gotrhythm - 2020-01-11 20:06:25

Despite what you may read here, the fact is most people--at a guess more than 90%--get a pacemaker, heal up without incident, get on with their lives and never look back. They don't even know what brand they have--and they never need to know. They come in only for routine interrogations and sometimes not even then.

So they never see the EP again, because they don't need to. If the pacemaker fixes the problem, there really isn't anything more for the EP to do or to "follow" until the time comes for a replacement device.

Unlike heart disease, there isn't any preventive treatment for SSS. It's really appropriate for you to be followed by the cardiologist.

I can assure you, if you do run into issues, you can see an EP again. Depending on the practice it may or may not be the surgeon who did the implant. Never believe that you don' have the "right" to insist on seeing the EP.

One more thing, an EP does have more expertise about heart rhythm issues. The cardiologist might detect bradycardia, think you need a pacemaker and and so refer you, but the EP would be the one to decide whether and what kind of pacemaker you need. 

I suppose

by AgentX86 - 2020-01-11 20:09:28

In some areas this may be true. I'm sure it has something to do with the underlying reason you need a pacemaker, as well.  My EP was managing my flutter and did three ablations in 18 months, so he's not letting me go completely. However. I only see him once a year now and my primary contact is my cardiologist. I see him every three months. He handles the drugs, as well. The two do discuss my case as needed.

If I have any more problems with arrhythmia,  I'll see my EP again but other than that, there really isn't any reason to.

Annually

by Violet West - 2020-01-13 17:31:33

Huh.  I have a standing appointment with my EP every year around the anniversary of my implantation.  It's when they interrogate me in-office and check the battery life.  I've only had one of these so far, but I saw the tech and the EP.  I would be disappointed if I don't actually get to see my EP going forward, because he's great.  

I continue to see my cardiologist, also.  Who is also great!