ICD review yesterday

Yesterday I had another ICD review in hospital (see my previous post 23rdJune ICD & AF). It was five weeks since the last review and I have been feeling well since the DDIR had been adjusted last time. I had a 5 lead ECG and the Bluetooth device place over my ICD. The two EPs were pleased that I had been well since the DDIR had been turned on last time, this is set at 55 bpm which is the same as my base setting and will it will not track the atria when it goes higher than that. This seems to work for me. I asked about mode switching and she said I have that option but it not switched on as DDI is permanently on. At the moment I am 86% paced and the third lead (LV) is still turned off and is not needed at the moment but could be needed in the future. They did lots of other tests and said things looked good. The battery has five years of power left. I am to see the cardiologist again in October, in the meantime if I feel unwell, I must phone the clinic and they will see me straight away. The AV node ablation is on-hold for the time being. Just thought I’d share this with you. Feel free to comment, thanks.

3 Comments

Excellent news

by Gemita - 2024-07-31 16:21:53

Graham, that is wonderful news and I am so happy that the settings change to fixed DDIR mode is working so well for you.  Why change anything more at the moment or experiment with Mode Switch when you are feeling so well with your current settings?   To be symptom free tells me that you are pacing the right amount of time, when you most need it.   After all your difficulties, I would be reassured that for now you can afford to leave well alone.

An AV Node ablation for AF is really a last resort when symptoms are intolerable.  It sounds to me as though your rhythm disturbances are being well controlled/tamed with your current settings, otherwise you wouldn't be feeling so well.  

Thank you for that encouraging update.  It has taught me a great deal about our devices and the importance of trying out different settings until we find the right ones to suit our individual needs.  Long may you continue to remain symptom free

Maximum tracking rate 55?

by Rch - 2024-08-02 02:45:39

Hi

Could you clarify for me regarding your present DDI(R) setting with a max atrial tracking rate of only 55, which is also your brady setting of LRL? Does it mean that at higher atrial rates, like during exercise etc. unless you have sensed ventricular beats, 55 would be your max tracked HR? From your bio, you do have some AV nodal disease. So, do you feel fatigued during exercise? 

The reason i'm interested in your settings is that I also get periodic tachycardia, usually during moderate exercise, and I notice on the Kardia that it's  ventricular paced rhythm. Otherwise I'm always in Ventricular sensed rhythm. The Vp rhythm doesn't feel good. Feels like A.Fib but regular with p waves! 

Tracking rate

by Graham Harry - 2024-08-03 04:27:18

The way it was explained to me was that any rate above 55 would not be tracked unless the rate response detected that I was active and then the rate would increase accordingly. 

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