VT's with pacemaker

HI all,
I tried to post yesterday, but I don't know what happened to my post?
I had a pacemaker implanted last august for bradycardia. In January I had ear surgery and a few days later I developed fast heart rates. I went to the hospital twice but nothing was found. Then they turned on the monitor part of the pacemaker and I just had it read last friday. The cardiologist said that I had 8 VT"s from february 22 until 29th. Several a day. He had told me that the HR was 130, but when I went to my regular physician today ,he informed me that all the VT had been 200.?? The cardiologist sent him a copy of the EKG's.
so here's my question. I never had any symptoms for any of these VT and I don't have a prior history of rapid heart beats. Could it be that the pacemaker recorded them wrong?
I'm supposed to start on Digitek tomorrow. Can anyone tell me their experience with that drug?What else should my cardiologist be looking for?
Thanks
Elke

6 Comments

Suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2008-03-04 02:03:04

The data monitoring of the pacer doesn't give much detailed information. Your regular doc may be misreading the report. For instance my Medtronic will report some number of "high rate events with the maximum HR of 170". this doesn't mean each whole event was at 170, only that at some time for a few beats I hit 170.
There are much better Holter type data recorders available these days that can record a lot more detail including a continuous ECG. Before starting on Digitek for an condition about which your cardiologist and GP don't even agree, I would ask for a data recording to confirm what is happening. This is just another case of throwing drubs at something without knowing if there is a real problem.
I pulled the following off a web site:

Digoxin side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking digoxin and seek medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

a severe headache, fainting, or extreme drowsiness or dizziness;

irregular heartbeats;

slow heartbeats (fewer than 60 beats per minute);

abnormally fast heartbeats;

vision changes (e.g., yellow-green or blurred vision);
*
hallucinations; or

abnormal or psychotic behavior.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take digoxin and talk to your doctor if you experience

decreased appetite and diarrhea;

unusual tiredness or weakness;

depression;

nausea or vomiting;

drowsiness or dizziness;

decreased sex drive; or

enlarged breasts in males.

The cardiologist tried to get me to take it when I was having PVC's a few months ago. I decide not to and the PVC's have resolved on their own.

frank

Update and thank you

by Elke - 2008-03-04 02:03:53

thanks for all your input folks :-)
I had the EKG's faxed to my regular family doctor and he admitted that he really is not that good reading them.He advised me to take the medicine or else I could get a stroke. So this morning I took the first dose reluctantly.
Frank-I read the same article on the side effects, therefore the concern. Don't need to get psychotic, hehe !
I think making an appointment with my EP is probably a good idea, after all he's the expert . I don't seem to have any physical heart defects, but the electrical problems.-He is also the one who implanted my pacemaker.
I'll keep you all updated, but I think it will be a while to get an appointment with the EP.
thanks again
Elke

Digoxin

by ted - 2008-03-04 05:03:14

Electric Frank is very knowledgable and is always worth listening to. I just want to say that this is one of the oldest drugs known to man. I have been taking it for over twenty years. Digoxin improves the heart's pumping ability and helps control rhythm. It is used for the lifelong treatment of congestive heart failure. I wouldn't get too freaked out reading drug side effects in the PDR. Every drug has side effects and possible interactions with other drugs. The physician must weigh the possible benefit against the possible adverse effects. If you read the data on aspirin, it would scare many people. Sometimes it is best take what the doctor says and see if it makes our life better. If a drug doesn't work, we can always stop it. I was prescribed Amiodarone for AFib many years ago. I read about it and got worried about it's dangers, but it has worked for me so I stay with it. We are each different. Good luck.

VTs

by gmnordy - 2008-03-04 10:03:35

I am also having runs of VT. My pacemaker interogation showed many many runs, and I had sx associated with them ( I keep a journal of sx). Anyway, going to have an EP study. Have you had one of these? From what my EP said, the VTs can turn into Ventricular Fibrillation and that is not good. So I may be getting an ICD as my EP states that no medicine is as good as having an ICD to treat arhythmias.
I dont know much about digoxin except some family members have been taking it a lot time with no problems.
Good luck!
Debbi

PM upgrade to ICD

by bunnykin - 2008-03-04 11:03:37

Hi,
When I read that you have a PM and VTs are detected, I was a bit concerned; when my PM detected short pvc runs for 2 yrs running 2002-2003 inclusive, my EP never knew nor guessed that I'd finally have a sustained VT some day. During most of my PM interrogation those years, both technician and EP dismissed the numbers of pvc runs(averaging 200+ runs a month) and we were all quite happy.(cos some didn't cause too many symptoms);
Subsequently in 2003 Dec, one fateful day my 'pvc runs' got so bad and uncomfortable, I actually had longer sustained ventricular tachycardia and I had excruciating chestpain that accompanied it. My next review and interrogation showed that I had an episode of VT that was 220bpm and lasted over a minute! My EP was very worried then and a holter was ordered hopefully to pick up proper VTs to document and backup my PM recording.
God was so good to me, Holter done and the report was there were VTs picked up from the 24 hrs ECG and I was scheduled for implantation of ICD and extraction of my PM, even though it was only 2-1/2 yrs old.
Elke, I hope your dr will check thoroughly and make sure you do not have a tendency for VTs. I was really fortunate cos that one off event of VT @ 220bpm if it hadn't stopped by itself, I'd be a GONER. Praise God...
My PM didn't have the ability to convert the VT/VF only an ICD does. I consider myself very fortunate.
Please take no chances, I hope you'll have a good checkup with your EP soon.
Warm regards.

Bunnykin

Good for you!

by bunnykin - 2008-03-05 03:03:27

Hi,
Glad you've decided on something at least otherwise we'll only all be guessing right? Do drop me a line if you wish to discuss further vt issues and fears.etc on private message or whatever. Hope your check goes well. Take care...

Bunnykin

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

I'm a runner, mountain climber, kayaker, snow skier, bicycler and scuba diver. The only activity among those that I'm not yet cleared to do is scuba diving, and when I am cleared, I'll be limited to diving to 50 feet.