Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

This past June I had a Bi-Ventricle ICD implanted in my chest to control the abnormal rhythm of my heart due to a virus. Interested in comments from anyone with a similar experience and how they are progressing. Thanks for responding

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

I've cared for several patients with these devices. They truly are miraculous. The alternative previously was becoming a "cardiac cripple" with frequent serious illnesses and hospitalizations and no stamina to even walk to the bathroom. CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy the rest of your life. You've been given a true gift of technology.

busted_shutter

My in - law had similar done a year or so ago, but his is an lvad(left ventricular assist device). Remarkable turn - around from what he could do before. Other than a few near mishaps, and constantly needing his batteries and needing power...he's doing awesome.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

This device is designed to resyncronize ventricular contractions often in congestive heart failure. In CHF the heart does not pump enough blood per contraction so that the heart enlarges in an effort to eject greater blood volume per contraction. This can sometimes lead to Dilated Cardio Myopathy which can lad ro ventricular asycrony or too rapid heart beats. Thats the reason for the biventricular ICD instead of the more simple biventricular pacemaker, which is someyimes used in CHFwith out the risk of too rapid heart beats. The health of such patients is much better than those without an implanted device. I don't know if this was explained to you or not. If it has, wonderful. I have a simple dual chamber pacemaker as a result of a ventricular conduction defect and am doing quite well. I worked in the field of cardio vascular implant technology. Hope you do very well. By the way teses devices are made in the US and are of the highest quality in all of manufacturing The physicians involved with the implanting and follow up of them are among the most highly trained and among the best doctors in the world. Be assured that your doctors are the best, whoever they are.

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

My ejection fraction was 15% with lots of complications (pulse, blood pressure, difficulty breathing, fatigue). I was on meds for 5 months getting my ejection fraction to 25%. My cardiologist said I could not sustain myself...thus I needed the ICD. Been doing well with it. Have a stamina issue otherwise I'm good to go. Twelve meds a day but healthy otherwise. Heart catherization showed no blockage, and I didn't have a heart attack or stroke. Cardiologist say it's viral.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Just thought you would appreciate the efficacy of thesedevices. Many scientific double blind (neither the physicians nor the patients know who is gatting the device or just the meds) studies have been done to determine whiuch treatment modality is best. The majority of the studies were stopped because the results favoring the device over medications were so overwhelming that continuing the study to it's plenned conclusion would be placing the patients who did not get the device in a severe risk of injury.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I wish you the best of luck, Indiana. I hope things go well for you. My son has been a heart patient since birth, and had his aortic valve and ascending aorta replaced three years ago.

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Thanks for the comments from everyone on the ICD. Sometimes I feel like I'm out here all-alone with this device. I'm in excellent health otherwise, still working, and not suffering from depression. Life is good and I am making the adjustments to accommodate my condition. I expect to live a normal life (life expectancy) and my cardiologist didn't disagree when I asked him that question. I have a good energy level although my device prevents me from over exertion. Technology is great! I'm back in the weight room pumping iron and feeling good!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

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