Improvement? of Third Degree Heart Block
History
I was first diagnosed with CHF in March 2010. I was then put on furosemide 20-40 mg per day, lisinopril 5 mg day, and carvedilol (coreg) 6.25 mg twice per day. I also took aspirin 325 mg per day.
On 28 Oct 2011 I had a 2-lead ICD implanted to counter third degree heart block. My 5 mg per day lisinopril medication was stopped, and my coreg was upped to 12.5 mg twice per day. Lisinopril has been noted on the internet as being a possible cause of third degree heart block.
On March 13, 2012 I started my first episode with gout, probably induced, or helped, by furosemide.
On 15 May 2012 I decreased aspirin to 162 mg per day, and on 6 June 2012 I decreased the aspirin to 81 mg per day, which I now maintain.
On 16 May 2012 I decreased my furosemide to 10 mg per day, then on 25 May 2012 I stopped taking furosemide altogether. I was worried about loop-diuretic induced gout (one painful bout with gout was enough) and kidney damage (my readings on creatinine and BUN had increased).
ICD readings
On implant my ICD was pacing ventricle 100% of the time. The next reading on 18 Jan 2012 gave a ventricle pacing of 97%. The next reading on 18 April 2012 gave ventricle pacing of 66% of the time and atrium pacing of 29% of the time. The most recent reading on 18 July 2012 gave ventricle pacing of 40% of the time and atrium pacing of 23% of the time.
Between 97% and 66% ventricle pacing I noticed a decided increase in daily chest thumps felt at heart. It is presumed that ICD was trying to control heartbeat as natural beat was improving (this has not been proved). After 18 April 2012 my chest thumps decreased from a high of 10-20+ per day to now an occasional thump per day.
Comments
It was suspected that lisinopril was the drug that caused my third degree heart block, my heart stopping several times, and my "death" experiences. Since I am no longer on lisinopril, and my heart function is improving (I am dependent on ICD less of the time.), my suspicion about lisinopril being the cause of my third degree heart block seems more likely.
Only time will tell how much my third degree heart block is reversed. My St. Jude Medical ICD technicians now describe my present condition (40% ventricle pacing) as "intermittent third degree heart block." On 28 Oct 2011 I had "total (100%) third degree heart block."
Adrian R. Lawler, Ph.D., (C) 2012 --
17 Oct 2012 --- Visit to ICD technician. Download of ICD = 73% ventricle pacing (up from last visit), 27% atrium pacing (up from last visit). He said I had intermittent third degree heart block and my pacing would vary, and that it was rare to get a complete recovery from third degree heart block. I expect to be paced the rest of my life. Everything was looking good, and I see him again in six months.
