Micra AV

Age?

by AgentX86 - 2021-07-10 20:58:16

You sound like a good candidate for a Micra but, IMO your age plays a big part of this.  If you're young, I wouldn't even think of it.  The Micra takes room in your RV.  Theoretically a couple of them can fit (maybe three or four but...) in the RV but if you're, say, 50yo, you may have four or five, or possibly even six pacemakers in your future.  They'd have to go in and fetch them before adding another.  This procedure hasn't been proven in every day use (but by then, maybe).  OTOH, if you're 70 or 80 this probably won't be a problem.

Age

by Ram - 2021-07-11 03:50:05

Thanks.  Yes, I should have put in my age of 67.  I've read they last 8 - 13+ years but might be a chance they could make them last longer someday.  Wishfull thinking. 

Is very long PM life a good idea?

by crustyg - 2021-07-11 12:15:52

My EP-doc fitted me with the bigger-battery, -EL model.  So far I'm set fair for 15+years before replacement.  I certainly hope and expect to need a replacement, but think about the likely improvements in tech over 15years - massive.

There are congenital complete heart block folk here, paced since teens, who have had 3, 4, 5 PMs so far and the consistent message is that each new box is much better than the previous one (not just because of a fresh battery).  The improvements are incremental - slightly better tech, lower power usage, clever software enhancements, perhaps a shift in battery chemicals.

Thinking about the vaginal mesh scandal, the metal-on-metal hip replacement scandal, I know that *I* am much more concerned about the proven track record of anything that someone suggests I should have implanted in me.  New tech isn't always better (despite my comments above), and kaizen is usually better than revolutionary change.  Evolution, not revolution.

If your ACtive dont’ get the MICRA AV

by PacedNRunning - 2021-07-12 17:47:37

If your active, I personally would never consider the micra AV.  Even though you have a normal sinus node, you need the coordination from the A lead to match with the V lead. with the micra AV you will lose the coordination if your active.  The micra can sense the top chamber but it doesn't do as good of a job as an A lead. I have normal sinus node with high grade block or CHB.  I needed 2 leads because I'm active and a runner.  I know of a few people that are active and had to switch to a dual lead from micra AV due to the poor synchrony it causes. Now if your 67 and you have very little intermittent CHB, meaning you won't pace much at all then it would be a good option but if you need to pace often it's not a good option.  If you very sedentary at 67 then it would also be a good option for minimal usage.  

Micra AV

by Ram - 2021-07-20 21:57:08

Thanks to all who commented.  I was hoping to hear better news.as there was one athelete's post elsewhere on this site that said he can get his workout to 180 bpm.

To PacedNRunning:  Did your friends that had the Micra AV have any problem with switching to a dual lead afterwards?   I'm not sedentary but I don't have the need to push myself to excess  anymore.  I didn't ask how intermittent my CHB is although the last 10 day monitor had 150 AV blocks which had seven that were 3-4.5 second pauses.

Metronic put out a new little video as they passed their 100k Micra implants on 7/15/21  Video shows all these seniors hiking, running, golfing & looking happy!  Good marketing :)

https://sqps.onstreamsecure.com/origin/multivu_archive/MNR/MDT_Micra_100k_Patients_Video_v3.mp4