pacemakers

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD-SGM on October 04, 1997 at 13:40:53:

In Reply to: pacemakers posted by anita n. wilson on September 17, 1997 at 07:57:37:

: My father,who is 80 years old has just had a pacemaker implanted.  He currently resides in Peru and information to him is limited.  First of all how can I find out more about the type of pacemaker he got (it is italian made and is called MINIOR 36 -VV1 manufactured by Sorin Biomedica and is unipolar).  He is concerned about the use of a remote control for his television, the use of a wireless phone, ect.  I understand that pacemakers have come a long way but I am not sure if the one he got is sensitive to those types of electronics.  I also wondered about the fact that after he has taken Vasotec and Tecnormin for almost 20 years, the doctors took him off that medication.  Any comments?

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

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Dear Anita,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your query.  Cardiac conduction disease causing slow heart rates is not unusual in persons of your father's age, and often necessitates pacemaker implantation to ensure an adequate heart rate, thus reducing the incidence of fatigue, breathlessness, and dizziness or "black-outs".  I regret to say that I could find no information on the specific model of pacemaker your father received, but hope to offer you some general information.  The VVI pacemaker senses and paces in the ventricle, thus assuring adequate ventricular contractions. It does not provide for atrial sensing or pacing, as is viewed as an older generation device.  I should say that these types of pacemakers continue to be implanted, but only in persons who lack atrial function (such as patients with atrial fibrillation.  Also, your father's pacemaker is not rate-adaptive, and will not increase its rate of discharge with physical activity... something that would be physiologically desireable.  
Generally, the use of a TV remote has no effect on pacemakers.  Neither does a standard cordless phone, but some devices receive excessive interference from the 900 megahertz variety of cordless phones.  If he is using this device and notices any symptoms, he should report them to  his doctor so that the pacemaker can be tested during use of the device.  However, I don't think he'll have any problems with the garden variety household appliances, etc...
Regarding the medications, it's very difficult to comment on the appropriateness of stopping vasotec, an ACE inhibitor, and tenormin, a beta-blocker.  This would depend on his blood pressure, any history of heart failure, arrhythmia, and so forth.  Truthfully, one must rely on the good judgment of a thoughtful physician regarding medication adjustments.  I will note, however, that sudden discontinuation of tenormin can result in rapid heart rates, and thus the medication should be tapered, not stopped abruptly.  
I regret I couldn't be of more timely help. Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your
family physician(s).