"I'm a patient from Jiaozhou, Qingdao, and I installed a single-chamber pacemaker from St. Jude's in 2000 because of myocarditis, and it cost about 50,000 yuan to install it, plus the cost of treatments and other things (the pacemaker was quoted at 20,000 yuan, and the actual cost was very high)."
1.
During the process of installing a pacemaker, apart from the pacemaker itself, the cost of electrodes (the ventricular electrodes were about 3000 yuan) and the cost of tearing off the sheath (about 500 yuan), all ended up totaling The cost of the electrodes (the ventricular electrodes are around 3000 I think) and the cost of the tearing sheath (around 500), all of which in the end the total price is definitely higher than the price of the pacemaker itself.
"The manufacturer said that the theoretical service life of the pacemaker is 8 years, but now it has exceeded the limit, because the current state of feeling is okay, just often chest tightness and headache, consulted the manufacturer's sales staff, said that the service life can be extended, just to check the power frequently.
"
1.
The tightness of the chest may be related to heart disease: for example, coronary heart disease, such as myocarditis, such as heart failure, there are many reasons, not necessarily the cause of the pacemaker. Pacemakers only manage rhythmic problems (that is, usually said to beat slowly, or have a long pause), and the heart's own blood supply (coronary artery) and the function of pumping blood to the outside, the pacemaker is not able to play a role. Chest tightness is very strong, it is recommended to go to the hospital cardiology department.
2.
If you have a headache, the pacemaker may have little to do with it.
3.
The 8-year period mentioned by the manufacturer refers to the warranty period of the pacemaker; that is, during this period, if the pacemaker runs out of power, the manufacturer will replace it for free. However, it does not mean that after 8 years, "the pacemaker is definitely out of power and must be replaced", which is a misunderstanding, everyone uses pacemakers in different situations, some people have long and some have short. If the warranty period has passed, and the manufacturer's inspection says that there is still power and no ERI, it is sufficient to review it every six months, or even once a year.
"The longer it goes on now, the more worried my family is and I want to replace it as soon as possible. If I replace it now, will I have to replace the built-in catheter that connects the pacemaker to the heart? Is the surgery troublesome? Is it life-threatening?
"
1.
It's normal to be worried, but it's not really necessary. The pacemaker will never suddenly lose power, and all you need to do is to follow up with your doctor and the manufacturer's representative, who have a lot of experience with pacemakers, on a regular basis.
2. Whether or not to change the electrodes (not the catheter) inside the pacemaker depends on the test results at the time of the surgery. Generally speaking, there is no need to change the electrodes in more than 90% of cases.
3. The surgery is not troublesome. Just screw off the part of the electrode that is connected to the original pacemaker, replace it with a new one and screw it on. It's really just a screwing process.
4. It is not life threatening.
"The concern is still the cost.
How much does it cost to install a dual-chamber pacemaker plus the cost of treatment now? Our hospital's offer is still quite high, really no bottom line ah!
"
1. Nowadays, the price of dual-chamber pacemakers ranges from 3w to 7w, so you have to choose according to your own financial situation.
2. You can clearly mention to your doctor what price point you want to install the pacemaker, so that the doctor can contact the manufacturer.
3. Your original St. Jude brand pacemaker is also available from 3w to 6w
4. Medical insurance can reimburse a part of the reimbursement, specifically how much reimbursement, ask the local health insurance department
5. So far there is no domestic pacemaker, so there is almost no inexpensive one; of course, you have to believe that, a penny for a penny, the cheap stuff may battery will not be used for so long. The price is averaged out over the course of a year, so you're still out of pocket