defibrillator or not?

[mgpants]

My EF is 29-30% and has been for the last 6 months that I know of. Who knows what it was before. I feel great. I am asymptomatic. My cardiologist now wants to do a TEE after my muga scan showed the above EF. She also is recomending a defibrillator. If I feel well Why should I have this done?

[April1969]

I said my dad is stubborn.  

[Encephalomalcia]

I never heard of such a thing before.  My mom had a pacemaker for 12 years.  When it was decided to remove life support, breathing tube and heart medicine, the doctors said that the pacemaker would not have any affect.  She passed after 5 minutes of removing the breathing tube and blood pressure medicine without the pacemaker being turned off.  To have CHF for 20 years is remarkable.  I thought 12 years was the maximum survival rate after being diagnosed with CHF.  

Deb

[April1969]

My father got one about 2 years ago, has had a heart attack & stroke at 72, would have died peacefully after 20 years of CHF, but his defibulator kept bringing him back, he can barely speak, can't set up or reposition himself, can't feed himself, has said many times since he's tired, he wants it done, they can't turn it off because he doesn't have a living will & every time it goes off it kills a little more of his heart, so it is dragging it out until it kills all of his heart, at this time we don't know how long that could take, so far it has been 4 days.  Think carefully.  It sounded like a great idea until this.

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi

A normal EF ranges from 55 to 75 percent. Lower values are indicators of a week heart and may indicate heart failure which can have serious complications.

A defibrillator (implantable) is a device to monitor and correct (if needed) an abnormality of the heart rhythm.
It may benefit patients who have experienced serious episodes of fainting (syncope) or arrhythmias associated with a low ejection fraction. They can also prevent ventricular fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm that can be dangerous (sudden stopping of heart)  if if not immediately treated.

Since your cardiologist has examined you and is best aware about your condition, you should discuss your concerns with her. You can also discuss about pharmacological methods (medications) for the treatment your condition.


Take care and let us know the results of the TEE.
Regards

[Encephalomalcia]

When my mom was 58 after having bypass surgery, she felt great.  Lots of energy.  I had a hard time keeping up with her.  At 59, her heart stopped suddenly.  She fell down on the cement and cracked her skull.  She needed emergency brain surgery and almost did not survive.  She received a pacemaker (Medtronic brand) and lived another 12 years.  Your EF is low.  Normal is 55 to 60.  Your cardiologist knows what is best for you. Sometimes a person does feel fine and has no symptoms, but that doesn't mean that everything is okay.  I have heard people say that their EF went up after they received a defibrillator.

Take care,
Deb