Pacemaker Club: AV and VV optimization for CRT

AV and VV optimization for CRT

by mrag
2011-08-14 05:08:19
ICDs
2813 views
2 comments

Has anyone with a CRT ever had an AV Optimization and if so what was the result? This procedure to fine tune your device settings can go by different names. Boston Scientific can call it Quick Opt while I believe St Jude may call it Smart AV. Medtronic may pursue it via "echo optimization."

2 Comments

Hi

by Davey5 - 2011-08-15 02:08:32

ST Jude call theirs QuickOpt and Boston call theirs Smart AV.
Essentially the purpose of both is to optimise the timing for the pacemaker so it will give the most fitting resynchronisation both for your atria to ventricles and for both ventricles to beat in synchrony. This has the effect of maximising how much blood your heart can pump.
Both tests only take a couple of minutes as opposed to echo optimisation which can take up to 30 minutes and are correct somewhere in the region of 95% of the time. It's completely harmless and painless and is done to individualise the pacemaker settings as the stock settings aren't ideal for everyone.
Bear in mind though that the values suggested after this test is done are only a guide and your physician may or may not choose to apply them.
Hopefully this has answered your question but feel free to contact me should you have any other queries.

Dave

AV Optimization

by mrag - 2011-08-16 01:08:52

Thanks for the reply. I just sent you a message, but feel it could also be included here as relevant to the board:

I have done some research and consider myself a 'responder.' I am also male. I understand echo optimization, while longer, works on the mechanical side where QuickAV or whatever attempts to tune via electrical adjustments. I cannot find any authority that states "responders will get X% improvement from AV Optimization." I have seen some suggestions that 'non responders' that are women may see some improvement. I am disappointed that with so many CRT's now being implanted, there are no first person accounts related to this. I can't be the first person here to have a cardiologist suggest I undergo "AV Optimization" for my CRT, or am I? Thanks.