Another Quick Question, please??

How much information is really obtained when they do those PM interrogations. I have asked and gotten a copy of the printouts before but it is like all "gobbly-gook" to me. Can someone tell me a simple answer?

Also, is there a "Dummies" book for PM people?

I was always taught that the only silly questions are the ones not asked and so some of my ?? may be a little on the silly side but I just thought I would ask and see if you know the answer.

Thanks for all the help and take care,

NH

8 Comments

I Found a book

by NH - 2008-02-29 02:02:20

I went to Amazon.com and found a book on PMs that I may buy. It is called, "Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators: All You Wanted to Know (Paperback)"

This is not a "dummies" book, but when I searched for all the "dummies" books, this one came up for PMs.

I will post about the book at a later time, if I find it to be good info. It is $42.10 which is rather high for a paperback and so maybe it is full of good info.

Thanks for responding.

Take care,
NH

PM interrogation

by Vai - 2008-02-29 02:02:24

If you can find literature on how to read the PM interrogation print out, please share on the site! I like to learn more too.

I had the PM tech explained the print out to me and to look out for the major stuff. But it was very fast and quick one.

About the Book!

by cottontop - 2008-02-29 03:02:01

Let us know if it is worth the money. I too would like to have one. But you are right that is price is a little high esp. for a paperback. Do you think the library would have a copy? Just a thought. Before you spend that much money.

Take care,Amy

Book

by NH - 2008-02-29 04:02:05

The book was published in 2006 and is rather current. The library might have it, but I will just probably order it from Amazon.

If you would like to see it, go to Amazon.com and search the name of the book.

It got a good review and it is supposed to have some FAQ in it.

I just thought it might help me to know more about my PM and my heart.

I have learned a lot here, but need to know much more.

Take care,
NH

Question

by BOB 1 - 2008-02-29 08:02:24

I know of no such book, but one good source of information is www.howstuffworks.com. I found lots of information there in a form that I could understand. I'll offer a hint to make the info easier to understand. Since a pacemaker is in reality trying to emulate the heart's natural pacemaker, you may find it helpful to read the associated articles on the heart and how it works. There is an article on the heart's electrical impulse generating system that I found really helpful. These articles are written with the layman in mind and not especially for doctors.

interrogation report

by Susan - 2008-02-29 11:02:26

There are web sites that discuss pacemakers but I think you were asking how does one begin to understand the interrogation report. It is complicated and I suggest focusing in on a part of it for there is a lot of information in the report. It is truly amazing all the stuff the pacemaker records. I can remember when I started asking for the interrogation report and I, too, felt is was a bunch of gobbily-gook. I didn't have a clue what the report said but I slowly begin studying it and comparing one report with another. I got help when I called the company and asked questions. I would focus on one graph and ask them to explain it to me. They were most helpful and sent me articles to read and a book of definitions. Sometimes we corresponded by email. I now have a relationship with the company and I feel free to email any question and I know that I will get a respectful understandable answer.
I also repeatedly asked my local technician questions; a few each time I went in. I know they didn't like that. Now when I go in, I don't even have to ask for a copy of my interrogation for they make a copy automatically for me. I also understand what the technician tells the doctor. Some technicians are great and they welcome questions. I got one like that now, thank goodness. Keep working at understanding the report. It will take time and keep asking questions.
I still don't know it all but I'm making progress and I am still asking questions.
Susan

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

by NH - 2008-03-01 01:03:03

Thanks for answering so many questions for me. You all are the best. I now have more info. that I need.

Take care,
NH

PS: I am going to print out the responses to keep.

A few ideas

by ElectricFrank - 2008-03-01 02:03:29

The modern pacemaker has so many options and an individual patient will likely only use a few of them. Also, the pacers can be programmed to record certain readings depending on what the EP considers important. Here are a few things I track:

Lead Impedance: This is a measure of the quality of the electrical contact with the heart wall. If the actual number is out of range it will quickly get the EP's attention. The thing I look for is changes in the impedance which could show a developing problem. Mine has stayed in the same range for the 3 years I have had the pacer, which is a sign that the electrode and my heart wall are healthy.

Ventricular capture management, Calculated threshold:
This is the result of that self test we get periodically that gives us a strange feeling. It is the voltage and width of the pulse that paces our ventricles. It tends to trend slowly upwards for the first year or two as our heart becomes adapted to it. Again a significant change is an indicator that something is happening. Mine doubled earlier this year when I was going through a virus and actually caused the pacer to intermittently lose capture. I was skipping as many as 4 beats in a row. The EP set the voltage way up which restored operation. He disabled the self tests ability to change the actual voltage. After I got over the virus I had him check it and lower the levels again.

PVC singles and runs: This shows the total number of PVC's since the last office check. Telephone checks don't reset the counter. When I was going through the virus I showed 124,099 PVC's in a 6 week period.

Estimated remaining longevity: This is the number of years of remaining life (the pacemaker, not yours) based on the current settings. When the EP turned my pacing voltage way up the battery life went from 5-7 years down to 2.5-4 years. When we turned the voltage back down it went back up to 5-7 years again.

Mode: This is the pacing mode. Common ones are DDDR which is Atrial and Ventricular pacing with Rate Response. DDD is Atrial Sensing and Ventricular pacing. In DDD mode the pacer may switch to DDDR mode if HR drops below the lower limit. There is a Mode Switch Episodes place in the report that tells when and how often this happens. By the way a potentially confusing part of the report is Rate Response. It will show a bunch of settings even though the mode is DDD, which over rides them.

Hope this helps.

The names of the items are for a Medtronics Kappa 701 pacer and may be different for other manufactures.

frank

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