DID IT STOP WORKING ?

[hyland1ellen]

My dad had a pacemaker fitted June 2009.
Not cal backs to check all ok.
Given pills to take.
Back and forth from doctors, not feeling well etc
Other okay.... doing really well, out shopping,but then
16rh April 2010 about - he out of breath but thought he had done to much... so relaxed.
18th April 2010 my dad age 52 passed away in his sleep......

He never had any call backs for it to be checked, could it of been the pacemaker ? where was the follow ups ! nearly 12 months on. Nothing !

[Flycaster305]

I'm so sorry.  

I've got a pacemaker, in the USA, but I had the same checks ed334 noted.  I'd start at the beginning with my questions.  
1.  was the pacer checked by the doctor after the procedure?
2.  was the pacer checked by the manufacturer's representative after the procedure?
3.  pacers record the history of heart beats/function.  Where is the pacer now?  I'd certainly try to get to an attorney so what was happening to your father's heart.

Again, I'm sorry for your father's passing.  Keep up informed, we all learn from posts like this.  Thanks for posting.

[ed34]

Just to add, yes it could very easily have been the pacemaker. A wire could have detached from the heart or the pacemaker may have needed adjustment. In rare cases a pacemaker may develop a fault, all of which a proper checkup should have detected.

[ed34]

Regular checks are a normal routine in the UK and the checkups can even be done over the phone with the right equipment, or even over the internet. During a checkup the Doctor uses a 'programmer' which is held over the pacemaker and it gives information as to how it's working. Adjustments can also be made through the programmer, changing the way the pacemaker is working. I am shocked that he never had a checkup.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Father, and I would persue this further. Someone should have been responsible for monitoring him.
Was a post mortem performed? or did the doctor simply put your fathers heart condition on the death certificate?