Cheney to Have Routine Pacemaker Check

Associated Press ^ | 07-07-03

[Brian S]

WASHINGTON (AP)--Vice President Dick Cheney will undergo a routine physical Tuesday to check the condition of a high-tech pacemaker that was placed in his chest in June 2001.

Spokeswoman Cathie Martin said the tests at George Washington University Medical Center would include a physical exam, an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram and a stress test.

It is a noninvasive procedure and the vice president plans to be back at work by midday, she said.

The doctor will electronically scan the pacemaking device _ called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator--to make sure it is working and to see if it has ever been activated to adjust Cheney's heartbeat, she said.

Cheney, who has had four heart attacks, attended a fund-raiser in New Jersey Monday night.

AP-NY-07-07-03 1918EDT

[nhoward14]

I bet they'll say his pacemaker is fine but he needs a new air filter and three brake pads.

[Support Free Republic]

A Recall AND a Fundraiser? I'm toast.

Let's get this over with FAST. Please contribute!

[Atlas Sneezed]

"...the pacemaking device _ called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator..."

Actually, those are two entirely functionally different items.

[Old Sarge]

My FIL has one of these. It's exactly as it says; routine.

It's not like the Sink Emperor's DNA tests...

[eeman]

Actually, they are combined in the same device. The defibrillator has leads which implant on the inner surface of the heart (endocardium). The leads can either be used to deliver a large amount of energy to defbrillate or small pulses of energy to pace.

Even the earliest defibrillators had to have some back up pacing capability as sometimes there can be a relatively long interval of time before the intrinsic heart rate resumes after defibrillation

[weegee]

Why is this making news?

It is a routine examination. My mom alternates between examination by phone and office exams.