ICD making septum smaller???

[Janet]

The EP/Cardiologist who recommended I have the ICD put in told me that the ICD could help make the septum smaller. I had never heard this before and question this. I now have a new doc, but want the opinions of our group before I see the new doc next Monday.

My septal readings have been 2.5 before ICD, 2.7 after ICD the next year and just a week ago 1.8. Can anyone tell me if what the original doc told me was true or can anyone suggest a reason for the decrease in number. I am also having my heart paced since the 2.7 reading.

Thanks and be well, Janet


Believe in the goodness of mankind!

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: ICD making septum smaller???

ICD's do not make your septum smaller - this concept is 100% incorrect and highly misleading for any medical professional to state.

I would highly recommend an evaluation by a specialist in HCM.

Best wishes,
Lisa

[Pam Alexson]

Re: ICD making septum smaller???

Janet,
Hi this is interesting to say the least. I have never heard that theory either. I am sure Lisa and others will have some insight here as well. I do know that septal measurements can fluctuate up and down at various times and from stenographer to stenographer even at the same time depending on the angle, readings vary. Everyones thickness is different and in different areas. My windows are so small (spaces between my ribs) that there were inconclusive findings( measurements from 1.5 to 1.8) even after a TEE( transesphageal echocardiogram). The plan went that they would open my chest , do a live TEE and decide then if it was a myectomy , mitral valve replacement or both that would be performed. I did not find out untill I awakened fully intubated in CTICU.
I am not sure but the EP could be thinking that the pacer always pacing , keeps your heart rate more consistant and efficient as with set timing and such( they can set your pacer to do a variety of different intervals and I do not know how yours is set regarding intervals).
Some individuals as with me this helped for awhile ,only a little to keep the fluid moving . But the best thing was when they added diuretics and taught me how to safely raise and lower the dose. All my numbers were much higher before they got the fluid under control or reasonably under control.
There are then different reasons why the septal measurement numbers vary a bit.
I hope this offers a little help to you.
Pam

[Janet]

Re: ICD making septum smaller???

Dear Lisa and Pam:

Thanks for your answers to my questions. They did help quite a bit.

I saw the cardiologist today and he said the ICD does not make the septum smaller (as you said) and thought it was rather queer some one would tell me that kind of story.

He believes the reading of 1.8 versus 2.5-2.7 is because of who did the echo, who read the echo and the fact that he is pacing my heart. He said if it would make me feeling better, we could do another echo without the pacing so I could see it hasn't changed. I am not worrying about it.

Thanks again and be well, Janet

Believe in the goodness of mankind.

[Pam Alexson]

Re: ICD making septum smaller???

Janet,
You're welcome . Glad it all got straightened out.
Best wishes.
Pam