Special to NKyTribune
From St. Elizabeth Healthcare
A round of golf, a game of cards and the chance to enjoy life were top-of-mind for Bill Thomason when doctors told him he needed a pacemaker. Thanks to a revolutionary new pacemaker, he was back on the golf course two weeks after his procedure.
“Quality of life is worth a lot at my age. If you have to stick your head in the sand, it’s just no good,” said the 70-year-old, who lives in the Taylor Mill area.
During a visit to his cardiologist, Dr. Robert Strickmeyer, Bill’s heart rate fluctuated from 30 to 160 beats per minute. Dr. Strickmeyer explained: “He needed a pacemaker because his heart was going too slow at times and then too fast at other times. So, he was symptomatic on both ends of the spectrum. The pacemaker will keep it from going too slow, and then medicine will keep it from going too fast.”
Bill was referred to St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular Institute electrophysiologist Dr. Mohamad Sinno. Dr. Sinno explained the pros and cons of a clinical research study for a new self-contained leadless pacemaker: No wires. Quicker recovery. Fewer complications. And a battery that lasts 12-20 years. As the doctor answered his questions, Bill’s friend Mildred Martin also listened closely and took notes to help Bill understand his options.
“She didn’t think I’d go for it,” Bill said.
Leadless refers to the absence of insulated wires which, in traditional pacemakers, carry the electrical impulses to the heart. A leadless pacemaker is small enough to be inserted in a leg vein and implanted directly in the heart. It is not yet FDA-approved, which means it’s only available as part of a clinical trial.
St. Elizabeth is one of only 50 hospitals in the country, and the only one in the Cincinnati area, chosen to participate in the clinical trial for this leadless pacemaker.
‘I want to enjoy life’
There are no restrictions on arm movement and, with no wires, fewer complications.
“I was happy with not having a lot of restrictions,” said Bill. “I was not apprehensive at all about it. Dr. Sinno answered every question I had.”
Bill didn’t feel any ill effects, other than heeding the doctor’s caution about the incision at the top of his leg. At the hospital the next morning, Dr. Sinno asked Bill if he had been awake at 5 a.m.
When Bill replied he had been sleeping, the doctor explained that the pacemaker was already doing its job. “I never felt it kick in,” said Bill.
Dr. Sinno said the procedure took less than 30 minutes from start to finish, with excellent performance by the pacemaker.
“I behaved for a week,” joked Bill, who is a retired plant manager at Northern Kentucky’s now-closed iconic Trauth Dairy. “I didn’t even pick up a gallon of milk.”
Two weeks later, Bill was on the golf course.
“I probably look at it from the point of view (of) what do I want to do from here on out? I want to enjoy life.”
“We dance, we walk. My friend here takes Zumba® lessons. Of course, I’d never try that.”
For more information about arrhythmia care at the St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular Institute, go to stelizabeth.com/arrhythmia or call (859) 331-3353.