Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

AV Node Recovery

I had an ablation done 3 years ago for WPW and atrial flutter.  I developed complete heart as a result and had a pacemaker implanted.  Recently, I
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
239757 tn?1213809582
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
toby,

thanks for the post.


Its possible that your AV node didnt function normally to start. Its also possible that it could have been damaged worse at the time of the procedure, and has slowly recovered. Im not sure if you have had medicines started or stopped, but aside from recovery on its own, which can happen, changing medicines may have allowed it to recover.

Its impossible to tell if you would go into block again, but with a damaged conduction system, the possibility is certainly increased.

A pacemaker can be a wonderous thing. However, some people can have symptoms from the pacer. There are a multitude of ways to pace to get around this, and talking with your EP physician should help get started. Alon, pacing 100% of the time is not necessarily dangerous.

Work with you EP to determine if your symptoms are from your pacer or your flutter before trying another ablation.

good luck

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear bkj,  I was just diagnosed as being in intermittent full heart block today.  I just recently had OHS for my mitral valve and had a St. Jude replacement.  I was doing well - running lots of races since my surgery and although my breathing wasn't the best - its only been 4 mos post op..  and my minute per mile wasn't great - but I thought I might improve with time.  But with my full heart block - I don't think my EP will let me go without a pacemaker program or am I wrong for asking to 'shut' this pacer off???

I have an ICD for vt's.  Previous MI. I went into full heart block after my OHS for MVR - but came out of it for a couple mos.  and now I'm back in it intermittently.  My meds have not changed - only additional med is 'coumadin' since my surgery.

Today after my pacemaker was programmed 'on' I could feel it kicking in and I had difficulty breathing - everytime it came on. I don't care if it comes 'on' - I just want to walk and breath and I especially want to RUN and breath.. and the pacer gives me a shortness of breath when it comes on.

I had read once that as a runner the "DDD" program worked well.  My EP is fantastic - but I don't think he gets many marathon runners with ICD's for vt's and now full heart block walking in and saying - I don't like this program doc - I want a running program??  I know he would give me the best program possible.  But I want to go back to him with some 'concrete' evidence that another program 'might' be better suited for me.. This 'rate' response feature on this model isn't all that 'great' if you ask me..  It responds about two minutes after you ask for the beats..  Which by the time it responds - its rather late to do a catch up..  Not that I'm complaining as I know the models today are much more sophisticated than in the past.  Guidant already tells me these things were made for marathons..  But MAYBE they can...  

Q1.  Is it a reasonable question to ask my EP to give me the DDD program even though I have full heart block at times?  I was breathing better yesterday without the pacemaker program 'on'.  I'm tempted to ask him to shut it off - but from what I''ve been reading - I should have it 'on'..  due to full heart block...

Q2. How do I go about finding out exactly what the "settings" are for the DDD program?  I had my ICD inplanted in 2001 - a Guidant 1861 model.. maybe I need a more 'recent' ICD that has 'more' features than this one..  

You mentioned there are other programs that are more user friendly without feeling the pacer on.  

Q3. What other programs are available for runners with full heart block and I know this is a big question but - what exactly are the settings?  

Q4.  Can a person who has 'full' heart block safely have the DDD program?  I'm a runner and I know after today - this VVI program or whatever it is - my EP said I'm programmed at 'max' on my programming..   I want to walk and run and BREATH..  all at the 'same' time - any suggestions?

I've tried posting several times - but can never get through..  

I'm sorry - but do you have any suggestions?  I'll try to keep posting these questions for several days.  

Sincerely,
Marilyn (runner)
Konopka1955
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum

Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.