I have the Boston Scienific ALTRUA 60 DDDR S-1 EL

[lisaak]

I had it install Feb 22th, 2012, my former one was a Medtronic Insync 8040 CRT, I had for almost 10 yrs would have been this Oct 2012. Can any one tell me WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS WITH THIS ONE?      I have a new cardiologist and he only believes in Boston Scienific

[Flycaster305]

It could be your doctor has a lot of confidence in the represensentative who helps the doctor program and maintain your pacer.  Pacemakers, from what I have been able to understand, all have similiar features.  The Company resource person is a very vital link, and if your doctor has confidence in a particular representative, I'd feel secure.  I have a pacer, and after a bypass surgery it needed re-programming, and the the pacer representative was vital in the process.  

I'd proceed with confidence in the doctor, and think the brand is not very important, I bet your doc is happy with with the rep, and that should give you confidence.

Keep in touch.

[helpmeplz6666]

Hi, I found something interesting but keep in mind that I have no expertise at all in this area, I was merely browsing through sites for the specified pacing systems.

For ALTRUA™ Pacemaker Family the following is written under Potential Adverse Events: "Potential adverse events include . . . DEATH . . .". For Medtronic Insync 8040 CRT death is not on the list. However, it's probably for marketing purposes so, in fact, your new pacing system may be more trustworthy and that is why your cardiologist prefers Boston Scientific over Medtronic. There is the possibility of your cardiologist wanting BS pacemaker because he's being paid by BS to sell only their pacemakers to patients. Just my speculation.

To anyone else who knows more and can look over these sites and help you out:
1.Boston Scientific page for your model: http://www.bostonscientific.com/Device.bsci?page=ResourceDetail&navRelId=1000.1003&method=DevDetailHCP&id=10103841&resource_type_category_id=1&resource_type_id=91&pageDisclaimer=Disclaimer.ProductPage
2.Boston Scientific page for your model's mechanical and therapy specifications:
http://www.diacor.no/filestore/PDF_dokumenter/Brosjyrer/Boston/altrua_specsheet60_UK.pdf

Links for your old one:
1.http://www.medtronic.com/for-healthcare-professionals/products-therapies/cardiac-rhythm/cardiac-resynchronization-therapy-devices/historical-crt-devices/indications-safety-warnings/index.htm
2.http://wwwp.medtronic.com/productperformance/model/8040-insync.html;JSESSIONID_productperformance=lHTYNVXh1yD7L12PBRVYbyR4nPZQ7ktXPqk3jvQhRzMx0QBLtHR0!-223261452!-92992348