Dental med's query

[portmoodyggma]

I will be having a root canal and crown done in a few weeks. As someone with either persistent? or permanent? AF for the last year, I wonder if there are any drugs the dentist might use ( primarily for freezing) that might be contraindicated with my current meds - digoxin and metoprolol. I realize this is rather a shot in the dark since I have never paid any attention previously to what gets injected!

I think I am addicted to this site as I have found out so much that the cardio's and ep's don't mention or gloss over. It's a constant learning process for me. So thank you everyone.

[etheral]

Theoretically any local combined with epinephrine should be avoided because of cardiac stimulant effect that could trigger afib.

[CDreamer]

In other words adrenaline. Your dentist should be aware of this but make sure you remind them.

Also make sure they know if you take anti-coagulants before your appointment.

[Finvola]

Same here - I never thought what was in dental injections, only that I hate them. Injections containing adrenaline may cause your heart to race or start an episode of AF if you have PAF.

Adrenaline free injections are not as long lasting nor as effective as the adrenaline helps to hold the anaesthetic in the tissues. Your dentist may explain this to you - mine did and I was a bit worried! But I had a large tooth taken out with adrenaline free and my dentist said he could top up if necessary with an extra injection. Wee buns - no pain or problems.

Discuss it all with your dentist beforehand - best wishes.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Finvola]

When I had my root scrape last Friday she used non adrenaline injection and I was still talking like a duck billed platypus about five hours later so they DO work.

[portmoodyggma]

Thank you everyone, I can relax - just a little - now that I'm aware of dental drug issues. Since the meds I'm on more or less control my AF I'm terrified of anything to upset it. And as you all know, it doesn't take much to bring back those awful beats and all that goes with it.

[Hidden in reply to portmoodyggma]

I had two broken crowns replaced in 2016. Prior to the procedures. I asked my dentist what meds the dentisit thought he would use.I then shared the info with my EP, got his opinion/recommendations, INCLUDING how to get my anticoagulant at a safe level for the dentist. Shared this info with the dentist and after this coordinating, things went fine with no ptoblems or excess bleeding.I was also able to have nitrous oxide because I'm such a baby about pain. So for me, the key was coordinating info with my dentist and my EP. Good luck. irina1975

[secondtry]

I have had root fillings and a big extraction and the advice at the time was non-adrenaline Local and stop the anti-coags 48 hours before - absolutely no problems.

One of the things I have learned with AF is that it can result in more teeth problems (as I found out a bit late), something to do with a chemical the heart releases if I recall correctly, so my advice would be step up flossing etc incl dentist visits to avoid more root canals/crowns - I have 5 and hopefully now stopped the rot, although like Bob I may in the future have to have a root scrape. Good luck.

[portmoodyggma]

Thank you everyone again. I don't know what I would do without this forum. One last (I hope) question about this matter - did you have palp's or raised hr for a few days after?