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Question:
Do you think I would benefit from a biv device?
I received a pacemaker about 2 years ago after going into cardiac arrest. At the time my EF [ejection fraction] was 45% and was told they were going to implant a biv pacemaker to correct that due to a LBBB [left bundle branch block]. Well, the device implanted was not a biv and needless to say, I still have many symptoms of CHF [congestive heart failure]. (fatigue, shortness of breath and chronic cough). 2 weeks ago I had an echo done and my EF is 40%. They are considering upgrading my device to a biv pacer. I am 44 years old and love to play sports yet I am very frustrated because my exercise capacity has greatly diminished. Do you think I would benefit from a biv device, or is there anything else that I could do to improve my EF. I was told after testing that I have no mechanical heart problems, only a LBBB which causes my heart to beat out of sync. . . . I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions that you could offer me. Thank you.
submitted by Bob from Orlando, Florida, on 11/3/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Ali Massumi, MD
An upgrade to a biventricular (biv) device improves exercise tolerance, reduces the volume of the heart and increases the ejection fraction (EF). Most of the experience, though, is in patients with EF less than 35%. It is hard to predict, but I expect that even in your case with left bundle branch block (LBBB), your symptoms may improve.
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Updated November 2009
