NEW PACEMAKER

Quoted message said:

Unlike 'uplbet' I have not yet had a check-up as my dual chamber
pacemaker was fitted only on 17th July but already I have noticed
that my heart rate is not steady all the time which is really what I
expected it to be. This afternoon I noticed a short period of AF.
Also, at night when lying down the rate is faster (100) than earlier
in the day. Mostly it is steady but there are regular one off
flip/flops, i.e. tick tock tick tock...flip/flop,tick/ tock and so
on. Do you know what I mean?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Before I left the hospital the
cardiologist did mention, again, the possibility of ablating the AV
node so I hope these observations. when I report them, will not lead
to that. Diana

It shouldn't.

God Bless,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

When you see your EP cardiologist. He will be able to interogate the pacemaker
and see what is going on. He will have a record of those high rates and
anything significant going on. Please realize that pacemakers are to regulate
and protect you from having low rates and track your normal heart rhythm.,.
With the exception of one or two none of them control the fast atrial
rhythms.(antitachycardia pacing), for SVT, your fast rates will now be able to
be controled with medication without fear that your heart rate will slow down
and you will be symptomatic. Usually those with intermittant atrial
fibrillation are on coumadin. As for ablation.....for atrial fib, it is not
always successful. Atrial fibrillation occurs as a result of many foci firing
from the atrium. Other than to ablate the AV node and make you pacer dependant
for the rest of your life it would really be difficult to ablate the
fibrillation. This is usually not done for short atrial fibrillation episodes.
Atrial flutter in many cases can be mapped with EPS and the site that causes it
ablated. Much safer and more specific. Give you MD a chance to adjust your
medications. And please get your pacemaker checked reguarly as directed by you
cardiologist. Hope I have helped.