defibrillator

I am a 49 year old male,I had a M.I.in 1996 losing approximately 50%of my heart muscle.I was told that i had 3-6 months to live,and i was inoperable.! was told this in Cols ohio at riverside hospital.I went to Atlanta Ga. and had a heart cath and stent placement,leaving my Ejection Fraction at between 26-32%,Since the M.I. i have had 13 more catherizations,CABG for two arterys,and 3 more stent inplants.It has been a stressful 13 years,My doctors want me to have a defib and 2 pacemaker leads inplanted,The studies seem pretty vague on if someone post 5 yr.M.I.,who has not fibrillated in 12 + years  has a need for a defirillator???I would like to know what new procedures are available(laser?)if any that might help my E.F. increase??I am very physical wal up to 6 miles sometimes daily do for some reason get winded eith steps everything else i am ok.Your help would be greatly appreciated,I am being treated at piedmont hospital by D.r ****** Atlanta Ga.lmk thanks in advance for your time in this matter ******

* Edited to Remove Personal Information - MedHelp

[danzacks]

Can anyone please answer my question??thanks dan

[finetilthree]

Dear Dan,
You will get a response within 24 hours (usually 12) from the doctor if you post your question on the expert forum.  It may take longer for you to get an answer on the community forum, as it could take hours or days for someone with a similar problem to read the board and post an answer.  Good luck!

[finetilthree]

bumping

[Momto3]

I am not familiar with any alternative (ie, laser) treatments for your situation.  I do know that current guidelines suggest that patients with an EF of 30% or less should be referred for a defibrillator.

My dad had CABGx4 in 1998 and there was evidence of a prior MI.  Because of the new guidelines, he had a defib implanted in 2006.  Early indications are that the EF is rising (from 20+ to 40+%).  But, because his prior tests were done in another state, the doctor wants to wait/see for further serial testing in the same facility, with the same equipment.  In any event, there appears to be at least some improvement.

Good luck!
connie

[Artaud]

Hi,

I hope you realize that the people on this forum are not Doctors. They are people, just like you and I, that have problems with their heart rhythm and wish to speak with others about their experiences.

For someone with a serious condition, such as a bad arrhythmia, nothing on this forum should be acted on until it is cleared with the paitent's Doctor. For example, someone with a bad arrhythmia who is advised to take Magnesium needs to get their Doctor's approval before they would attempt to do so since these things can sometimes cause more problems with the arrhythmia.

Also, your question is fairly technical and is likely beyond range of questions that most people can, or would be, able to respond to.

Go here for a list of Forums, and see the "Ask a Doctor" Forums listed on the Right Half of the page.

Go here for the Heart Disease section. http://www.medhelp.org/forum_disclaimers/show/114

Go here for the Heart Rhythm section. http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/91

There is a $25 fee assessed to ask questions of the Doctors.

Pertaining to the Defibrillator Question, despite the studies on the Post MI that you quote, most people that Fibrillate never live to talk about it. Perhaps you should ask your Doctor if he/she sees anything in your EKG that might indicate an instability that could possibly decay into Fibrillation. And you mention the Pacemaker, with a reference to 2 leads. I was wondering if they are referring to Bi-Ventricular Pacing. I believe with this, you would actually have 3 leads.

Here is an interesting article on the topic at the Cleveland Clinic, and it discusses Ejection Fraction improvements.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/tests/procedures/biventricular_pm.htm

Hope this helps.

[finetilthree]

There is only a fee to ask a Dr. a question if they have already taken their limit of free questions for the day.  You may be able to get your question in for free without a charge if you post at the right time.  I have posted several times and never been charged.  Good luck.