Pacemaker Case Studies

Stephanie May
ST: 103
Pacemaker
Case Study: Stacey May

My sister, Stacey May, had a pacemaker implanted at age 7 (1988). Occasionally throughout the 2 years prior to her surgery, she suffered with fainting episodes. One day while at cheerleading practice, she had fainted and was taken to the ER. At that time the doctor at the hospital found no reason for her fainting spells and she was sent home that night with cough medicine due to complaints of a sore throat. Later that night, Stacey’s pediatrician called anxious to know any results the ER doctors may have given. Unsatisfied to hear that she was released before any tests were done and knowing that a healthy 7 year old child should not be fainting, he insisted she be taken
During this time, Stacey had fainted 2 more times. Once while nurses inserted her IV and another when they removed it. The recording also showed that while she slept, her heart rate was dropping into the teens. She was transferred to Deborah Heart and Lung Center the next day and a temporary pacemaker was put in. An echocardiogram and EKG were then done showing her heart was functioning properly and was able to maintain her own rhythm the majority of the time. The problem was occasionally the nerve impulses from her brain to her heart were not able to connect. This miscommunication, so to speak, was causing her heart rate to drop and at times, stop. She was diagnosed with SSS or “Sick Sinus
At that time it would trigger the necessary impulse to increase her heart rate again. Stacey was closely monitored over the next 5 years. It was clear that she was not dependent on the pacer, however at the original setting of 60bpm, the device was being used even when it was not needed because it was set to close to normal resting rate. Unfortunately because of this, the batteries to the pacer were drained and needed to be recharged. It was also found that the leads to the pacemaker were corroded with scar tissue and needed replacements as well. The only way to accomplish this is another surgery. A new pacemaker and leads were implanted in November of 1993. This time doctors set the pacer at 40bpm. At this new low setting, that same device had lasted the next 19 years and records show it has rarely been used. Two years ago, doctors began new series of tests to determine the actual need for the pacemaker at this time. It is again time to charge the batteries but test results showed that over a 2 month period, she was on her own heart rhythm and at no time during these 2 months did she use the