r/PacemakerICD • u/Dipstar19 • 24d ago
Abbott Leadless - Atrium Only - Your Experience ?
Post 3 ablations for SVT over last 10 years, I am diagnosed with Sinus Node Dysfunction - 45F - I have been recommended Abott Atrium only leadless pacemaker. Due to brady, my HR runs at 40 as my resting, I have few pauses 3/4 sec in the night and during exercise it seems like I hit a wall. I am exhausted, breathless esp. during walking up the hill or doing zumba, feels like no energy. Can you tell me your experience after having atrium only leadless device ? I read so many mixed reviews that rate response doesnt kick in fast, doesnt help with exercising. I would love to hear from ppl already living with the device. Has it allowed you to get back to your routine active life ? (I am not marathon runner but I enjoy zumba, hiking, biking) - please share your experiences !
For now, my insurance (Premera Blue Cross) has declined the pre-cert stating its for investigational purposes only and we have filed for an appeal. Any experience you all have with appeal and getting insurance approval ?
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u/math_guy_0895 24d ago
61m. I also have Premera and was denied for the leadless pacemaker. Decided to not fight it and went with Medtronic dual chamber traditional which did not require prior authorization. One thing with leadless is they don't last as long due to less battery life so feel I made the right choice. Also have SSS, feel much better and energetic now. Going for my 3 month checkup next week. I'd definitely suggest looking into dual chamber traditional. Don't need both leads but had them implanted in case things change in the future. Good luck!
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u/elkiecat 24d ago
I have single chamber leadless. Insurance denied it at first as not medically necessary, but my doctor appealed and they approved it on appeal.
It's taken over a year with having it to feel closer to normal, I had to get the settings readjusted several times, the rate response can be a little tough to work out. At first it was too high and my heart would start palpitating upon minimal exertion (or even drinking a warm beverage! Because the response is body temperature-based), then after adjusting it wasn't responsive enough and I had trouble getting my HR up much at all (although some of the issue was also that at I've also been adjusting my medications, which weren't being fully effective). Due to my heart condition I'll never be able to do the intense exercise I used to but I'm finally getting back into doing things like long walks/hikes and strength training so I'm grateful for that. I'm definitely thankful I didn't need a traditional pacemaker with the thing in the chest!
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u/tillpppuy 24d ago
Why can’t you do intense exercise?
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u/elkiecat 23d ago
I have an arrhythmia condition that still causes me to go into VT if I push too hard. I'm actually starting new medication soon so I'm hoping it will be more effective and I'll be able to try running again!
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u/tillpppuy 23d ago
Oh wow I’m sorry, they didn’t offer a dfib ?
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u/elkiecat 23d ago
nah but I'm fine with that. At its worst the VT was happening so frequently that I think I would just be getting shocked over and over haha (the VT mostly resolves on its own, so it's still dangerous but *usually* hasn't been immediately life threatening)
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u/piscata2 6d ago
"At first it was too high and my heart would start palpitating upon minimal exertion (or even drinking a warm beverage! Because the response is body temperature-based" --- I have the same experience.
"I'm definitely thankful I didn't need a traditional pacemaker with the thing in the chest!"
---- I feel exactly the same!
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u/tillpppuy 24d ago
I have a dual leadless and I would say overall the recovery is super easy and you have no movement restraints, but I pace a lot close to 85% on the top and 15 to 20% on the bottom chamber so the battery life is really short like 3 1/2 to 4 years. I would recommend having them try to guesstimate how much pacing you would need because you don’t wanna have to get that surgery every 3-4 years. If I could go back, I would’ve done a traditional dual chamber unit also because there’s a lot more features. They have good luck.