Had ablation for afib now pace-maker dependent!

[Mav74]

Hi.

What does pace-maker dependent mean? Had an ablation foe AFib and now dr said pace-maker dependent but didn't seem overly concerned. Sounds scary!!! Any info or experienced would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Palpman]

If the Sinus Node or the AV Node is damaged by mistake or intentionally during ablation then you are almost dependent on a pacemaker to keep the heart beating.

The signal originates in the Sinus Node and travels to the AV Node before entering and pulsing the ventricles.

With no pathway the main pulse is from the pacemaker but the heart has an emergency pulse sometimes called the escape pulse to keep the heart beating when all else fails.

This pulse is very slow at under 30 but its enough to survive on until you get emergency treatment.

[Mav74 in reply to Palpman]

Thanks for the clarification. Can you live a long time being pacemaker dependent or is it life shortening?

[Palpman in reply to Mav74]

It's almost like having a biopic heart. You can live to a normal ripe age. It no way shortens your lifespan.

[Mav74 in reply to Palpman]

Okay thank you!

[Desanthony in reply to Palpman]

My Uncle became pacemaker dependant in his 70's and lived until 92 and then died from an infection after a hip replacement so yes you can live to a ripe old age. To be honest I questioned the hip replacement at that age but he wouldn't take things easy so was in pain so the hospital decided to do the replacement.

[Mav74 in reply to Desanthony]

Wow... 92 is still good. Thanks for the info.

[Buffafly]

What kind of ablation? Because if it was an AV node ablation then that was the intention. You shouldn’t feel the AF so much now.

[Mav74 in reply to Buffafly]

There is no more AF but dr used the words pacemaker dependent and that was a bit scary

[Buffafly in reply to Mav74]

Not to worry, in the very very unlikely event your pacemaker failed your heart would keep beating long enough for a fix! It seems it wasn’t fully explained to you.

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning, I have had ablations and a pacemaker fitted, dependant as your good self. All it means is your pacemaker will limit your heartbeat at a set lower and higher point. Mine is 80/120, in other words the pacemaker will not allow my heart to go below 80 bmp or above 120. I am due for an assessment shortly and will no doubt alter the settings. Also have stopped taking Bisoprolol but still take Apixaban

Dave

[Mav74 in reply to Golfer60UK]

Thank you! Glad it's been going well for you! Hoping for the same

[Bruceyboy in reply to Golfer60UK]

Similar Have PM which is set at 50/130 and on Apixaban No problems

[CDreamer]

Also had Pacemaker and 2 ablations but not at the same time. I’m not PM dependant but if AF were to return I would go have the AV node Ablated so I would be.

Life is so much more manageable with my Pacemaker which I’m told is working about 90% of the time with natural signals getting through.

Being Pacemaker Dependant is nothing to worry about but it does take time to get your head around.

I know doctors are busy but I don’t think enough time or effort is allowed for explanation and reassurance so I’ve learned to ask questions so if you have concerns do not hesitate to contact the clinic and ask for a full explanation as to why you are now PM dependant.

[Mav74 in reply to CDreamer]

I think you're right.. doctors sometime for get to explain things in a way that's not doesn't make their patients head spin!

[Geoffa1]

An important adjunct opportunity with a PM is the realtime data it provides your care providers, assuming it has telemetry capability, it truly informs professional decision makers.

[ETHEL103]

What a reassuring lot peeps are on here. Hope you feel better now.