Temporary Pacemaker

[Speedo1968]

Has anyone had a temporary pacemaker fitted to allow for an operation to go ahead ?

If yes, any problems or issues ?

My situation is that I have a very low general heart rate (and, urgently need a biopsy and tissue removal on a possible / probable bladder tumour.
From what I understand the temp pacemaker will be fitted shortly prior to the bladder op then removed.
ICU is one day / night with 2 further days in private room.

The intention is to consider a permanent pacemaker fittet once biopsy results are back.

 

No doubt some who may reply may wish to ask why not go for permanent now, the info I need is about the two questions I have asked.

[lopburi3]

Do you really need for bladder tissue removal?  In my case was done while I watched on monitor and you leave as soon as done.  But that was just my experience (bladder cancer found and bladder later removed - which is the major surgery - which with luck you will not require).

[Sheryl]

I believe cardiology is refusing to clear him otherwise and seem to remember from other thread that he has Heart Block so not simply a low heart rate.

 

Insertion of a temporary pacemaker is not a big procedure. They can thread the wires in through a vein in your neck or groin. 

[Speedo1968]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I believe cardiology is refusing to clear him otherwise and seem to remember from other thread that he has Heart Block so not simply a low heart rate.

 

Insertion of a temporary pacemaker is not a big procedure. They can thread the wires in through a vein in your neck or groin. 

Thank you Sheryl, yes it was me that had major runarounds trying to get some kind of sense from the many different hospitals and hospital depts I was sent to.

I finally opted for Bangkok Hospital in Khon Kaen where I spent considerable time having tests, especially question time with the heart surgeon; also the surgeon dealing with my bladder tumour.    The former was excellent and went in to great yet simple detail about how and why etc.
It was strange relating what I could do regarding walking exercising in the local park and floor yoga exercises and how I failed on the treadmill at the hospital.
I go under the knife tomorrow, Tuesday 20th October.  

If the pacemaker works well I will consider what to do once I get my biopsy report back.

[Speedo1968]

4 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Do you really need for bladder tissue removal?  In my case was done while I watched on monitor and you leave as soon as done.  But that was just my experience (bladder cancer found and bladder later removed - which is the major surgery - which with luck you will not require).

Yes, as Sheryl correctly comments below.     The doctors said it was too big a risk even though I consented to have biopsy surgery under local or general anesthetic.   My heart rate is generally in the 30 - 40 range, even with general exercise.     Not sure of the cause, perhaps the stroke with complications I had over 3 years ago from which to all intense and purposes I recovered.
Thanks for your good luck wishes.

[Sheryl]

It is l kley unrelated to the stroke and a separate heart condition.

 

A normal slow heart rate (i.e. an undiseased heart with normal electrical conduction) will not be below 40/minute. Less than that, and there is some abnormality in the heart's electrical conduction system (there might also be with heart rate over 40, but for sure there is below 40).

 

These abnormalities of conduction can be seen on an EKG.

 

 

 

[Speedo1968]

On 10/19/2020 at 8:38 PM, Sheryl said:

It is l kley unrelated to the stroke and a separate heart condition.

 

A normal slow heart rate (i.e. an undiseased heart with normal electrical conduction) will not be below 40/minute. Less than that, and there is some abnormality in the heart's electrical conduction system (there might also be with heart rate over 40, but for sure there is below 40).

 

These abnormalities of conduction can be seen on an EKG.

 

 

 

Thanks Sheryl, sorry not to respond sooner but was in hospital..
Had exercise Stress Test and failed, lasted 1.41 minutes.
Had sinus rhythm with complete AV block at 30-40bpm.
No sign of valvular disease ( trace MK and TR ).
No pulmonary hypertension, no pericardial effusion.
Normal biventricular size etc.

Excellent doctor who placed wire ( easy going easy to talk with ) and has advised me most strongly to get a permanent pacemaker fitted asap.    This would be done at the Queens Hospital in Khon Kaen, so i am told.

Had temporary pacemaker fitted in morning and bladder biopsy in evening.   Pacemaker left on overnight set at 40bpm.
Biopsy shows no tumour as such only "debris" possibly from pancreas and some very very small "stones" floating about.   Under local anesthetic for safety the surgeon let me watch the monitor and ask questions.  Have a copy of the video.

I feel tired now at home and guess it's because I had had support from the temp. pacemaker.

 

One complaint I have against the hospital is that I advised the hospital that I was highly allergic to phak chi and it duly showed on the menu printout.   My first meal the food was fine, the next had phak chi leaves that I saw before eating the food.
Second point was that on my list of drug allergies duly noted on my hospital records I showed a serious allergic response to "Tramadol" which had caused big problems with uncontrolable body spasms whilst in hospital with a stroke.     It was given to me this time for pain caused by insertion of the tube in to the penis and some infection.    Fortunately I did not suffer bad effects and can only think that there may have been a response to Tramadol and another medicine during treating the stroke.

[Sheryl]

With a complete AV block you are at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

 

Listen to your doctors and have a permanent pacemaker inserted as soon as possible.

[simon43]

[quote]

A normal slow heart rate (i.e. an undiseased heart with normal electrical conduction) will not be below 40/minute. Less than that, and there is some abnormality in the heart's electrical conduction system (there might also be with heart rate over 40, but for sure there is below 40).

[/quote]

 

Sorry to go off-topic. I hope I'm OK - just checking with Sheryl ????.  My resting heart rate in bed is typically about 42, having slowly reduced from about 70 four years ago, when I started regular exercise.  Blood pressure is about 108/65.  I feel fine ????. I'm 61 years old.

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

A normal slow heart rate (i.e. an undiseased heart with normal electrical conduction) will not be below 40/minute. Less than that, and there is some abnormality in the heart's electrical conduction system (there might also be with heart rate over 40, but for sure there is below 40).

[/quote]

 

Sorry to go off-topic. I hope I'm OK - just checking with Sheryl ????.  My resting heart rate in bed is typically about 42, having slowly reduced from about 70 four years ago, when I started regular exercise.  Blood pressure is about 108/65.  I feel fine ????. I'm 61 years old.

 

As I said -- you can have a normal heart rate as low as 40 but not below it. Very athletic people often do; some medications also do this.

 

If you have had a normal EKG with that heart rate then you are OK. Heart block (which is what the OP has) is readily apparent on EKG.

 

With a slow heart rate it is necessary to count for a full minute as anything less, like counting for 15 or 30 seconds and multiplying, will make a big difference.

[Speedo1968]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

With a complete AV block you are at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

 

Listen to your doctors and have a permanent pacemaker inserted as soon as possible.

Will do, I will wait until the biopsy reports are back and in the meantime consult the Heart Center doctors in Khon Kaen about having a pacemaker fitted.