I got into the
Canadian Trials along with 9 other people in Canada for a brand new ICD from St. Jude
Medical. It's called the Fortify ICD and as you can see in
this slightly modified photo from Business Wire, it's got an industry-leading small
footprint. The other really exciting things about the
Fortify include advanced battery technology that enable the
device to last a few years longer than current devices (less
replacements over a lifetime) all while actually increasing
energy output capacity with rapid
charge times. The
device features St. Jude Medical's streamlined SJ4 connectors for
strong, durable and comfortable connections.
The device
features the new CorVue™ pulmonary congestion monitoring
algorithm, which alerts physicians when a patient’s heart
failure may be worsening, as evidenced by changes in electrical
signals that can be correlated to increased congestion.
Pretty neat, huh? I don't have congestive heart failure
but it's nice to know if I ever did, this device would alert my
team ASAP.
It can also
monitor the ST segment of the
electrocardiogram, which can indicate the onset of ischemia (which
occurs when blood flow/oxygen to the heart muscle is obstructed) I haven't shown signs of obstruction, so I
don't know if I have this algorithm turned on or not, but I do
believe I have an ST segment abnormality so I might be
discussing this. The thing is, the more algorithms you
have turned on, the shorter the battery life is, so
it's a trade off deal to have all the bells and whistles turned
on.
I got the
Durata
defibrillation lead, which features a proven structural design
and unique insulation material that demonstrate excellent
long-term durability as well as thin 7F size. It's really
pretty too, the sleek look of it and the way the connectors and
tip are designed and integrated speaks of it's quality if you
ask me and it looks sweet.
The main things
that make this device so exciting is it's ability to pace
up/down as needed, charge for a shock, analyze the need for the
shock up until the last second, even while charging, analyze
chest congestion and do it all in a smaller device that lasts
longer ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY. Amazing.
Indicators
of Sudden Cardiac Death Risk
Even one of certain factors is enough to warrant proceeding.
I have about 3.0-3.5 factors, so it was a no-brainer to proceed.
Also during testing of my device I was able to confirm the
physical sensation of tachycardia episodes that have been on the
increase from one a week 2 years ago to one a day a year ago to
several a day lately... confirming to me once and for all that I
needed this protection in a way I could independently feel on my
own.
Prior cardiac
arrest
Family history of sudden cardiac death
Sustained ventricular tachycardia
Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia >3
beats > 120 bpm
Septal scarring caused by cellular
disarray growth
Failure of BP to raise during stress test
Left ventricle wall thickness >30 mm
Co-existing obstructive coronary artery disease
Resting left ventricle outflow tract obstruction
Microvascular ischemia (decrease of blood)
Prior alcohol ablation
Diffuse late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac MRI
