CRT-D

Hi, I am relatively new to the blog and I would like to say it has been very helpful to me. I was wondering if anyone else has a 3 lead? I just had my St. Jude ICD/PM 2 lead replaced yesterday with a 3 lead, due to my low EF and V-Fib. The new model will sense when my upper chamber is pacing, sending a signal to the bottom chamber so my heartbeats will be synchronized. I am very hopeful I will see a positive change in energy etc.

Bruce

11 Comments

good luck

by Tracey_E - 2008-12-30 08:12:16

Wishing you fast healing and a better EF!

Let us know

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-31 12:12:50

Let us know how it works out. I have read that the 3 lead has a real advantage with low EF. The synchronized pumping of the right and left ventricles can increase cardiac efficiency. Most of us have enough reserve that we can get along with the clunky 2 lead.

frank

Things are going well for me!

by brucerob - 2009-01-01 06:01:15

I've been following this site for a while and have found it to be a great help. I joined to respond to your query. I have a 3 lead ICD that was implanted in May 2008. It was implanted to synchronize my left and right ventricles. Although I have an enlarged heart, I feel great and I am able to do more than I ever thought possible. I am working full time but I am careful not to overdo.

Good Luck, from another Bruce

3 leads

by Bruce Martin - 2009-01-02 05:01:16

Thanks Bruce for commenting, I am so glad you are seeing a difference. I had my two lead replaced with this one on 12/29/08, but I already think I feel a difference. I am not sure if it is a placebo affect, but look forward to feeling stronger with energy down the road. I am so anxious, that I am sure I am trying to hurry the process. Have you had any nuclear testing since the installation to see if your EF has increased. I assume this is your first unit, or did you previiously have a two lead as well? Thank you, for joining and responding as it doesn't appear there are very many of us out here with the three leads. Hope your weather in NY has been better than ours in western Washington State. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Bruce

Thank You

by Bruce Martin - 2009-01-02 05:01:39

Thanks to all of you that commented on this forum, I have found this venue to be most helpful and supportive.

Bruce M

Re:3 leads

by brucerob - 2009-01-02 06:01:36

I have not had any nuclear testing and I am guessing I won't. I can't back up my claims with numbers but I know I have more energy and feel much better (people also tell me I look much better but I look in the mirror and I seem to be just as ugly as ever). My feeling better was a gradual process and took time. I think moderate exercise is a big help (underline moderate). Be patient. Yes, this is my first device.

The weather in upstate NY is not fun in winter, although I am in a milder area of upstate. It has been cold and windy.

Hang in there and GOOD luck, another Bruce

Weather

by brucerob - 2009-01-03 10:01:05

After reading the posts from Alaska I realize it is downright tropical here.

another Bruce

3wire

by Red1958 - 2009-01-06 04:01:45

I have 3-wire St-Jude promote crt-d .atrium pacing 3% and ventricals at 98%

3wire

by Red1958 - 2009-01-06 05:01:03

ef up from30-35% to 35-40% in less than a year

Great improvement

by cherrypie - 2009-06-14 04:06:59

Hi Bruce. My doctor tried to urge me to get the ICD/3-lead put in, but I really did not want anything that invasive. My EF was 18 and my heart enlarged. Each echo was getting progressively worse, and finally the descriptive word used in report was "severe." My doctor at Stanford really urged me and I finally agreed last September. The surgery went okay and I have not had any complications. I just had another echo and vo-max study and the doctor was shouting down the hallway "are you ready for some good news". I was stunned, but my very large heart has returned to normal size and all measurements are within normal limits.
I read about a study in France where a small percentage of patients had full recovery and that is what prompted me to go through with it, but I knew it was still a long shot. I hope it goes well for you too. I figure if it helps keep you going, even at less than full spead, that is still a pretty good deal. Life is great!
By the way I have had this for about 10 years with great fatigue and now feel like my old self - only better.
Leslie

Life is bright

by Bruce Martin - 2009-06-14 11:06:15

Thank you to everyone that commented. Sorry I didn't respond prior, my wife and I have been doing a little traveling. I just had my first echo and my EF went from 25 to 40. The sync was so close the tech thought I wasn't pacing in the lower ventricles. She had to run to the ICD lab to confirm it. I feel so much better with more energy and stamina. If I have a real physical day I do still hit a wall letting me know I need to relax. But even that has improved. This has been a fantastic improvement. I had the surgery on 12/29/08 and was on the road heading for the desert on 1/7/09 from Washington State.

Can't say I am totally cured but think I could play for the Seattle Sea Hawks and they really need the help.

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.