Conventional or Leadless Pacemaker?

[Tekward]

Still researching: "Four patients in the paced group and 2 in the unpaced group died, yielding 3-year actuarial survival probabilities of 78% and 85%, respectively. It is concluded that ventricular pauses of 3 seconds or longer are uncommon, these pauses usually do not cause symptoms, and the presence of these pauses does not necessarily portend a poor prognosis or the need for pacing in asymptomatic patients." Significance of ventricular pauses of three seconds or more detected on twenty-four-hour Holter recordings - PubMed

 

[cmc333]

There are some days when I swear my pacer lump is bigger than other days! I'm careful to not wear anything that shows my scar and lump. Don't know why I'm that way - my other scars (and I got plenty) never bother me. But the pacer one...just does.

DH was in charge of Quality/Reliability for his career with pacemakers and defibrillators. I went with his and my doctor's recommendation since they knew more than I did. Have only had one episode in almost a year that was concerning and I didn't even feel it. Just got the email with a 19 page chart of what happened. I didn't even feel anything different, so I don't even know what was wrong. But it is good insurance for heart problems. Not a sure thing, but better than nothing.

 

[Koolau]

I've known two people who had problems with their pacemakers which were probably due to faulty installation. One was redone "properly" and the other one? The patient died - likely from a failed pacemaker but no one wanted to go to court for a 94 year old man who (probably) died due to a faulty pacemaker.

 

[cmc333]

That's why DH was picky about which pacemaker I got - he knew the quality standards of some of the companies.

 

[Bruno]

I got a new Medtronic's DTPA2QQ installed Tuesday. My old one only lasted 6 years but think it fires a lot. New one says battery good for 9 years. I don't understand why they cant have a pad to lay on your chest to recharge the battery. My old bedside monitor does not work on this one. Had me put an app on phone and told me to keep it beside my bed for notification. I dont sleep in same room or carry phone around all the time. This app thing may not work out for me. I believe they have an option for a newer model bedside monitor.

PS will carrying cell phone in shirt pocket drain the battery

 

[51togo]

I got a new Medtronic's DTPA2QQ installed Tuesday. My old one only lasted 6 years but think it fires a lot. New one says battery good for 9 years. I don't understand why they cant have a pad to lay on your chest to recharge the battery. My old bedside monitor does not work on this one. Had me put an app on phone and told me to keep it beside my bed for notification. I dont sleep in same room or carry phone around all the time. This app thing may not work out for me. I believe they have an option for a newer model bedside monitor.

PS will carrying cell phone in shirt pocket drain the battery

When you replace with another pacemaker due to battery life, is the operation the same as the first one or is it a simpler procedure and recovery and if the leads into your heart stayed?

 

[Luvtoride]

When you replace with another pacemaker due to battery life, is the operation the same as the first one or is it a simpler procedure and recovery and if the leads into your heart stayed?

With my replacement it was much simpler since the existing leads into the heart remained. Very easy procedure and fast recovery. Best of luck.

 

[Bruno]

When you replace with another pacemaker due to battery life, is the operation the same as the first one or is it a simpler procedure and recovery and if the leads into your heart stayed?

Yes it was very simple. It was done with local shots in pacemaker area and also gave me medicine in IV that put me to sleep. Not suppose to raise hand for least a week to heal back up,