atrial fibrillation

[manrilla]

i have atrial fibrillation and chf my doc want to put a Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in me and was wondering if thats a life time thing or can i get mt heart stringer and not need it any more ?

[Gary3201]

The reason for the ICD is to control the life threatening CHF. If they want to install that device I would guess the ejection factor of your left ventricle is around 30% or less. The reason for the implantation is the chance of sudden cardiac arrest brought on by the CHF is the major consideration. Once that is stabilized they then focus on the problems with the Atriums. CHF patients like us 30% get better, 30%get worse and the balance stay the same. Once you have the device implanted you will have it forever, the upside is that you will probably feel better and be able to function more easily. It will also lesson the risk of the sudden cardiac arrest which should help with your mental attitude. Being a combination unit it serves both as a pacemaker and a defibulator so you heart rate and rhythm will be regulated and the defibulator is there in case you need to be shocked or converted back into rhythm.

best of luck and keep the faith
gary

[Mom2four85]

I just had a Telgien E1100 Pacemaker/ICD put in last Friday.   This is the specific model I have - it's extremely small and weighs like an ounce so once the swelling starts going down you can see it but barely.

http://www.bostonscientific.com/Device.bsci?navRelId=1000.1003&req_from_page=treatment&page=HCP_Overview&method=DevDetailHCP&id=10106021&pageDisclaimer=Disclaimer.ProductPage

I've had some runs before of 170+ and with exertion I do notice a little bit of a pinch or sting (no shocks though) then it goes away.  Right now mine pacer is set at 60 and pretty much stays there, with a few exceptions.  They told me to take it easy at first and let my body get used to the way it reacts to the pacer and later on I won't even know its there.

I will have to have mine the rest of my life (I'm 42) because I have some ryhthm probs & dangerous heart drops; so I'm hoping I never have to use the ICD part of it.  I'm on 2.5 mg of Zebata for now and 5mg of ProAmitine 3x daily.

Good luck & take care of yourself

[manrilla]

reason i ask is because i had to to the er like 3 weeks ago with a hr of 241 i am just worried ill be shock all day long  even with meds my hr is  very fast  maybe around 120 resting and in the upper 180 or so doing things like walking around. and my ejection fraction is like 20% already had like 3 stroke  when i  was 26 i am 34 now  so im not even ure if i should get the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator so i am here tryin to get as much information as i can  thanks for any replys

[manrilla]

thanks for your responce

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry about the heart problems, I take it chf = congestive heart failure.  That must be the reason for the ICD proposal.  I believe the ICD has nothing to do with your case of AFib.  

I will guess that unless there is something that can be repaired with surgery or medications, the ICD is for life.  The good news I have read is if you don't need a shock very often you will adapt to the ICD, maybe just forget about it and go on with life.

Good luck.