Everything Is Okay

I had my first semi-annual defibrillator (ICD) follow-up yesterday with my cardiologist. A specialist from Medtronic was also present. They put the device to the test by accelerating and slowing down my heart beat for a moment. It did not hurt, but it was unpleasant.

The device is working very well. The lead's electrical performance of monitoring my heart beat and detecting lethal arrhythmias increased and is now in the normal range. After my very first ICD follow-up a month after the surgery, my electrophysiologist noticed a decreased performance of the lead, but told me it probably will increase with time.

But most important, the ICD recorded no arrhythmias and therefore no delivered shocks and no administered pacing.

Concerning my phlebitis in the left arm (a known complication) my cardiologist wants me to take blood thinners until June. Then, a more thorough blood test will be made. My cardiologist wants to find out whether I have a genetic disposition for pulmonary embolism.

But he is optimistic that my phlebitis will go away. He thinks my circulation has to adapt to the new situation since one of my body's important veins is blocked by the ICD lead. The circulation has to learn to bypass the blocked area first.