Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Biventricular ICD - when is it time to get one?

I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia in March 07.  I have a Medtronic ICD and have had one lead reattached.  I've also been in the hospital twice from VTach - amiodarone treatment.  My latest hospital admission (my 7th in 8 months) was an ablation for the VT's.

I have heard so many good things about the Bivent ICD and want to know when do the cardiologists typically recommend that?  My EF is 30% (no change in 8 months) and I have significant left bundle branch block.  Thankfully I show no signs of heart failure.  My EP says many other cardiologists have recommended a Bivent for me, but she is reluctant for 2 reasons: 1) number of hospital visits and 2) No heart failure symptoms.  My meds are Coreg CR - 10 mg, Lipitor 5 mg, Lisionopril 2.5 mg and Aldactone 6.33 mg.  I have struggled with meds and dosages and and am currently on pretty low dosages so that is also a concern for me.

I'm just wondering what others stories are about this.  I'm better than I was 8 months ago, but I would like to feel better, EF improve and the other benefits I read about with the Bivent.

Any comments are welcomed.

Angel
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
sorry....I meant a class III..............
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
most criteria are as follows:...........optimized medically for at least one year..........that means 20mg of Lisonpril daily and 20mg of coreg twice a day...this has to be titrated up gradually.........no improvement, and ef at 30 (some say 35) and symptomatic with a class II or worse according the AMHA classification, and a LBBB of 128 or above.  As much as I have benefitted, I would advise you to follow these quidelines, and take it from there.....Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
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.