CRTD and Colonoscopy

[Granny-Mac]

Hi I'm new here and looking for advice.

I was sent for CT scans in July and diagnosed with heart failure in late August. It came as a big shock to me. I have suffered with Atrial Fibrillation for many years. I had CRTD device fitted early September - I have had no problems with the device, but I picked up norovirus in the hospital and have been poorly for a few weeks. HF Hospital stopped medication to see if the upset stomach issue settled but it made no difference so now I have started the medication again. I take Entresto and Bisprolol, and Riveroxaban.

I even had a major anxiety/panic attack and ended up in hospital where a lot of my minerals etc., were depleted and I had to have infusions.

I am due to have a colonoscopy next week and when I made the Dr aware in my pre-op telephone call of my device, they mentioned turning my device off. Obviously this concerns me and they said they would be contacting the HF clinic. Has anyone else had to have this procedure done who has a device fitted? What happened with regards to the device? Obviously I am trying to contact the HF clinic to ask their advice but just wondered whether anyone else has had the same. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you!

[Lezzers]

Hi Granny -mac

Why on earth would they need to turn off your device!! My husband had an ICD (recently upgraded to a CRT-d) he had a colonoscopy & gastroscopy at the same appt and he didn't need to have his device turned off!

However, bear in mind that if at anytime you do need your device turned off for any procedure then the medical team will put the manual defib pads in place first, you will be highly monitored & a cardiologist will either be in the room with you or on standby for you.

I would be interested in knowing what you HF clinic says if you don't mind letting us know. Personally I think the Dr you spoke to probably doesn't have a clue about heart devices! My husbands cardiologist once said heart devices are bread & butter stuff to cardiology but they do tend to send other departments into a panic!🙄

[Granny-Mac in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you for your reply! much appreciated!

Of course I will let you know - obviously it did worry me! I am just awaiting a call back so I can ask their advice.

[Lezzers in reply to Granny-Mac]

My husband has had a heart device since 2012. In that time he's had a few operations & cancer treatment, the only time he had his ICD turned off was for a hernia operation not long after he had the ICD fitted! They didn't bother turning it off for his next hernia op!! It sounds to me the Dr is being over cautious (not a bad thing at all) but I'm almost certain the clinic will say no, turning the device off isn't necessary!

Ps: I hope the procedure goes well & they get to the route if your problems.

Pps: I had a Granny Mac too!!

[Alicant in reply to Lezzers]

I agree ..not a clue..unfortunately ignorance seems quite prevalent with HF andAF

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Granny-Mac, following a positive bowel cancer screening FIT test I had a letter drop through the door last Thursday calling me in for a pre colonoscopy appointment next week. I have an ICD fitted too and trying to find information out is really difficult. Have they advised you about medication as well as pre procedure advice. I'm surprised about switching off the device but can see reasons why that might be appropriate. Happy for you to DM me if that's helpful down the track to share experiences otherwise I'll look out for any updates.I found an interesting Norway paper saying that 'blood thinners' impact the FIT test results and probably outcomes.

Hope it goes okay with a successful outcome.

[Maurice_Mosd]

Hi

Last year I had my ICD turned off for 6 of the 7 procedures I had.

It really is a nothing. The process is quick and non-invasive and you absolutely are in the right place should there be any issues.

Going forward, I would always make sure that if you have further procedures that you make sure that they know you have the device fitted well in advance. I have had 2 procedures cancelled as they didn’t arrange the HF team to attend early enough.

You will be fine.

[Deejay62]

Contact the device clinic they should be able to tell you more. Just explain the situation to them. The only time I know it should be turned off is if you’re having an mri scan. I don’t know about that procedure but the device clinic are the best people to speak to. Let us know how you get on

[Granny-Mac]

Thank you all dor your replies, I'm still waiting for a reply. I'll let you know!

[Lovedogs1]

I have a CRTP fitted and have had a colonoscopy. I made them aware of it but it was never turned off. I did have to stop the blood thinner for a while.

[Marymara]

Probably to prevent the device delivering a shock when not needed, stressful procedure.

[polenta]

I have a CRT-D also and just had a colonoscopy last year year, they did not turn off my device, but I did have to go into the hospital to have the procedure done, instead of a GI clinic as a precaution. I am located in the US, so maybe they do things differently where you are.

[Granny-Mac]

I've finally had a reply the device clinic!He said its quite normal for the device to be switched off and I would be carefully monitored, its incase they need to remove anything during the procedure that could set off the device. He assured me it was quite safe.

Thank you all for your replies. Here's hoping all goes well for me.