Cardioverter Resynchronization Transveinous Defribrilator

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Permalink Reply by Leo D. Erles Jr. on January 21, 2010 at 7:28am

Hi Burris, I now have my second CRT-D device, the first one was a Guidant, and the battery lasted 5 1/2 years. The device I now have is a St. Jude, which shows a battery life of 6.9 years.
My Guidant went off twice in the time that I had it. When your heart stops pumping blood, the blood drains down from your brain, causing your head to feel quite hot, and in my case, I felt a thumping near my stomach, which I was told, was diaphram palapitations. I don't know if the warning signs are the same with everyone, but if you do feel anything like I described, stop what you are doing, and sit down, because when the device jolts you, it is about 36 joules.
My St. Jude is set up to make three attempts to correct the problem before it goes off.
I think that having this device has allowed me to live a near normal life, I am glad that my cardiologist recommended it. I hope that this little bit of information is helpful to you. Good luck and good health to you. Leoinnj

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Permalink Reply by Lee Roush on January 26, 2010 at 3:31am

Dear Burris,

I also have an ICD. It is not necessary for me to have the resync part, but I would be happy to talk with you.

Lee

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Permalink Reply by Lee Roush on January 26, 2010 at 3:35am

Here is some good news, Burris. The link is: http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=908

Lee

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Permalink Reply by Betty J Lee on January 26, 2010 at 6:34am

This is my first time visiting this site. I am sure we all hope it is valuable. I received my first ICD in 2002 and the second in 2005. In 2008 the doctors replaced the ICD and upgraded to a biventricular ICD (CRT). Overnight, I doubled my EF and felt much better. I experienced many "firings" before the CRT and now I have had only one since Aug, 2008. I feel much better, have more energy and pleased that the electrophysiologist proceeded with the upgrade. It is all such a pain but I feel fortunate that I received such improvement as a result. Notwithstanding the fact that I gained an infection following surgery and ended up on 6 weeks of IV antibiotics and in 2009 the lead in my left ventricle became dislodged and was stimulating the diaphragm with every heart beat. They were able to relocate the lead without a thoracotomy. Whew!!! I hope you will be pleased that you had it done.

Betty

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Permalink Reply by Burris F. Gautreau on January 26, 2010 at 8:07am

Hi Betty, good to hear from you. Yes, I am very pleased with my CRT-D Implant, my ejection fraction went from 10 to 55 and dropped back recently to 45, so you know how good I feel about that. I live in between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and was treated at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. I was on a heart transplant work up as my heart was to weak for any type of surgery and only was treated with medicines for months. I like you was sick for the first time on December 29th, 2002. Had a TIA (Light Stroke). hadn't taken probably five asprins in my life, never really sick. After treatment of several Doctors in Baton Rouge it was determined by my Daughter ( A Lab Tech Manager) and Son (A Nurse), also, my wife who spent countless hours on the net and other places trying to see what else can be done. These Doctors didn't even give me the right dosage or right medicine for the condition I was in. Found this out after going to Ochsner in New Orleans. There I was placed on different medicine and treatment. Medicine had improved my condition, but, not to the extent of normal life. On one appointment my Doctor asked if I wouldn't mine getting in research and trying something that may help me a lot. I accepted this immediately as I was dying and a heart transplant would have been difficult for me due to blood type and such. I was told that the CRT-D was helping people but, the settings were an inbox setting from the factory and was only helping twenty per cent of the people. They at this time had came up with a way to set the CRT-D with computers that would work for the individual and there particular heart problem. I had many wires attached and hooked up to four computers to enable the optimization of my CRT-D. The optimization worked perfect for me. They picked six people to do this with and I was one to have the best results with a 100% benefit. Mine is a St. Jude Medical Device and it was so successful I was a St. Jude Medical Poster Patient, talking to cardiologist, went to Washington D. C. and talked to Congress concerning not cutting research money badly needed to continue research to enable Companies to come up with this sort of thing. Trip was successful. I am so thankful, for Ochsner, Staff, Doctors, Nurses, support people and St. Jude Medical for not only saving my life but, giving it back to me. I to being 71 yrs. Old and having twelve Grandchildren and two Great Greandchildren, really enjoying life, spend lots of get togethers, parties and such with my entire Family of 29 to 35 people. So, thankful and can't believe this happened to me. Now you know why I am very, very pleased that I had a ICD and CRT-D Implant. I really have no restrictions as I ride bikes, go to Dances and really are enjoying life as I did before I was sick. Stay in touch and let me know more about you. I haven't really talked to anyone that has more or less parrelled my sickness as you do. Also, wondering where you live and what Doctors and Hospital you were in. Being so close to St. Jude Medical as I am, may be familiar with your Docs or such., also, let me know the type of CRT-D you have, St. Jude, Medtronics, etc. Thanks again., have a good day. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Burris F. Gautreau on January 26, 2010 at 8:18am

Leo D. Erles Jr. said:

Hi Burris, I now have my second CRT-D device, the first one was a Guidant, and the battery lasted 5 1/2 years. The device I now have is a St. Jude, which shows a battery life of 6.9 years.
My Guidant went off twice in the time that I had it. When your heart stops pumping blood, the blood drains down from your brain, causing your head to feel quite hot, and in my case, I felt a thumping near my stomach, which I was told, was diaphram palapitations. I don't know if the warning signs are the same with everyone, but if you do feel anything like I described, stop what you are doing, and sit down, because when the device jolts you, it is about 36 joules.
My St. Jude is set up to make three attempts to correct the problem before it goes off.
I think that having this device has allowed me to live a near normal life, I am glad that my cardiologist recommended it. I hope that this little bit of information is helpful to you. Good luck and good health to you. Leoinnj

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Permalink Reply by Burris F. Gautreau on January 26, 2010 at 8:23am

Very good to hear from you Leo, isn't it nice to be able to come back and live a normal life after a long time suffering as you did. I with an ejection fraction of ten couldn't take my garbage can to the side of the street without having to sit or lie down for twenty minutes or so.
I having had my CRT-D go off as of yet., my Doctor says it is set to where it will not go off until the last possible moment it needs to. I do appreciate the information you have given me on this. Haven't really had any idea as to what to expect when this happens, now I do., thanks a lot, have a good day., Enjoy

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Permalink Reply by Edward on January 28, 2010 at 3:26am

Hello Burris, I am on my third aicd all micronics units. I had the latest one implanted last August, I had a cracked lead. My first implant was in "02". I have had at least 5 resynchronizations. I also have had a St.Judes 2003. I am lucky that the device has never fired. I a 100% paced as well plus I am on the UNOS list for a heart. It's good to talk to others that have similar problems. Feel free to reply if you wish.
Ed Bouche'

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Permalink Reply by Burris F. Gautreau on January 28, 2010 at 6:19am

Hi Edward, isn't it good to feel good again., like I, I am sure there was times when you thought none of this could be possible. I unlike you., only had an ICD for fourteen months, replaced with a CRT-D of which I presently have, neither have ever went off., but, nice to know its there if ever needed. I was on a heart transplant work up, but, since my ejection fraction went from 10 to 55, only on medicine such as CoReg, Enapril and such.
Good to hear from you Edward, stay in touch. Cracked lead, wow., first I hear of this., was it implanted cracked or how did that happen. Enjoy hearing from you., hope you have enjoyed the holidays as much as I have., having twelve Grandchildren and a family of 29 or so., holidays are big here. LOL. Lets keep in touch.

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Permalink Reply by Betty J Lee on January 28, 2010 at 6:59am

Hi Burris
In response to where I live: I am in Northern Colorado and receive care through the CardioVascular Institute at North Colorado Medical Center. I am extremely impressed with the level of care considering that this is a small community of about 80,000. I have had all Medtronic units and have St. Jude aortic and mitral artificial valves. Because of my arrhythmias I have had more than enough shocks from my ICD. In 2003 I sustained what is referred to as a "defibrillator storm" in which all shocks were appropriate but I was having on average 20 shocks per 24 hours for a week. The doctors finally gained control with massive amounts of medication which ended up causing pulmonary fibrosis. Was a terrible experience and thinking about it brings back horrible memories. I was so debilitated as a result of this experience that I actually needed to use a power wheelchair for a period of time. But, with a lot of effort and support, I am doing very well. I am on oxygen 24/7 as a result of all of this, but continue to exercise 3-5 times a week at the hospital's adult fitness program. With a few dollars extra, my husband can exercise with me and that provides invaluable support. I also feel more comfortable working out with medical staff in attendance (that translates to my being chicken). I am pleased you are doing so well. Betty Lee

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Permalink Reply by Burris F. Gautreau on January 31, 2010 at 8:55am

Wow, you have been through it. 20 Shocks was definitely an ardeal. Thanks for the info on the shock experience as I haven't had one yet. Don't know why., hadn't really talked with my Doctors about this., guess I should so I will know exactly what to expect, although at times when this is mentioned they say that it is set so low I may not experience a shock. Excercise, Diet and Rest or important as you are doing great considering., Sure that your husband has been behind you all the way., as in my case, couldn't do this without my wife. We have had our fifieth anniversary this year, have twelve Grandchildren and now having a great life.

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Permalink Reply by woodrow stelly on March 23, 2010 at 1:02am

Burris I also have a ICD implant which I've had for 3 years.Last year my device shocked me twice,the first time was a mild shock which was recorded on my monitoring through the phone systems.My first shock occurred while I was asleep as I mentioned before it was mild.My second shock was within 3 weeks so my Dr. was really concerned about the time between each shock.My second shock was more severe than the first.Dr.Civello admitted me to the hospital and monitered me for 4 days where they induced a shock so he could give me medication to eliminate the shocks.I take 1 sotalol 80mg twice daily.This has kept me in rhythm since I've received this medication.My heart was out of rhythm before the shocks.My ejection fraction was at 16 before the new medication to above 30 after the medication and being back on rhythm.My ICD is a medtronics.

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