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Does A Pacemaker Need Replacement After Its Battery Has Been Exhausted?

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Posted on Wed, 10 Oct 2018
Question: Patient History -

In 2007, Patient was falling unconscious while walking and it was diagnosed that BP was suddenly falling very low and Doctor had implanted combo device pacemaker of St. Jute after all the diagnosis and test.
After 5 years, in 2012, a device of same brand and specification was again implanted because the battery of former packemaker was exhausted.
Last month, XXXXXXX 2018, Patient was having problem in viewing things and it was diagnosed that blood clot has come across retina that's affecting the visibility and Patient was advised to see cardiologist.
I have attached all the reports.

Question-

Does the Patient really need to implant new pacemaker since battery of implanted pacemaker is already exhausted.
As per soome cardiologist, Heart pumping percentage is already more than 50% and patient can avoid implantation of new pacemaker.

Please advise.

Appreciate your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:

Yes its needed

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The pacemaker was done due to the history of frequent episodes of falling unconscious with low blood pressure.

Which means that the patient was having some significant rhythm disturbance like some high degree AV block or some cardiac Arrhythmias.

See as he is having a combo device which is the best in class and is capable of improving the cardiac function as well as giving a shock when required.

These devices are not just placed for low heart pumping. So continuing with the pacemaker is highly advisable to avoid and life-threatening events.

I would like to suggest you get one pacemaker interrogation done once again. Usually, the battery life is more than 5 years before making a decision for replacement.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Bhanu Partap, Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Bhanu Partap

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 4759 Questions

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Does A Pacemaker Need Replacement After Its Battery Has Been Exhausted?

Brief Answer: Yes its needed Detailed Answer: Hello, The pacemaker was done due to the history of frequent episodes of falling unconscious with low blood pressure. Which means that the patient was having some significant rhythm disturbance like some high degree AV block or some cardiac Arrhythmias. See as he is having a combo device which is the best in class and is capable of improving the cardiac function as well as giving a shock when required. These devices are not just placed for low heart pumping. So continuing with the pacemaker is highly advisable to avoid and life-threatening events. I would like to suggest you get one pacemaker interrogation done once again. Usually, the battery life is more than 5 years before making a decision for replacement. Hope I have answered your query. Take care Regards, Dr Bhanu Partap, Cardiologist