General Anaesthetic and AF

[Patient007]

I may have to have an operation on my shoulder to repair my rotator cuff and would have a general anaesthetic. I am worried because my AF has been stable for many years with Flecainide and I am concerned the anaesthetic will set my AF off.

[pottypete1]

I doubt if it would be a problem. I have had 4 of my ablations with GA and also an operation on my hand for 3 hours under GA without any issues. I have also had sedation a number of times with no direct issues.

Soon I am unfortunately going to have an operation for a hernia and I am hoping to have GA.

Having said all that I can understand your concern as I too have now been stable for some time and would not wish AF to rear it's ugly head again.

Pete

[Patient007 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks very much for that. It is always a worry when have AF whatever have done. Good luck with your hernia op.

[jennydog]

I had to have a discectomy for 2 herniated discs in my neck last year. I was being wheeled into the operating theatre when the Anaethetist called a halt to proceedings as I had gone into AF. I don't know what set it off as I didn't feel stressed or worried.

2 weeks later they tried again. I was given a 'happy pill" before leaving the ward and all went well. I did subsequently discuss this with my EP who merely shrugged and said that they should have cardioverted me.

You need to discuss your AF with the Anaestetist .

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

Hi patient007 Make sure all your docs involved know your history and ask that they communicate with each other to come up with the best treatment plan for you. I would bet they will do this but if it were me it would reassure me to know they had all your problems on the same page. I would share info myself to make sure it got passed around. There are other things to consider-what pain meds would be best afterwards and such. I also wouldn't worry if any of them thought I was just a chatty old woman as long as I felt everyone knew my 'whole-person history. ' Just a thought. Some of us,at times, don't want to bother busy docs with extraneous info but your agenda is the best care and outcome for you. And I thing docs appreciate being given info they may not have been aware of. They may not tell you but it may help you in a more complete way. Good luck and take care. Burma (username irina1975)

[1Jerbear in reply to jennydog]

Jennydog ,I hope you are doing better now . This "happy pill" Could you send a few my way ? LOL that sound wonderful

[Patient007]

Thanks for that. The Consultant who would perform my op is fully aware of my AF and I am sure it will be discussed should it go ahead.

[meadfoot]

I too am having surgery, gall bladder operation in two weeks time under GA. My af was discussed with consultant anaesthetist at my pre op and they sent a list of questions to my EP. He thought it was over the top asking so many questions as he said they operate on people in permanent af every day and deal with it mid op if needed. Easy to say I know.

I am to stay in hosp longer due to the AF according to my surgeon. I have to say I am concerned about it myself and of course the stress of undergoing surgery doesn't help AF whether paraoxysmal or permanent, it's another thing to take on board.

Good luck with yours, hopefully we will both be ok.

[Patient007 in reply to meadfoot]

Thanks. I also hope you will be okay. I am sure you will be as modern anaesthetics much better than used to be.

[Hidden in reply to Patient007]

I'm waiting for a gall bladder removal . I'm also worried about AF returning after 9 months of being AF free following my ablation

[Patient007 in reply to Hidden]

I understand. I know how you feel its a worry. Good luck anyway.

[Buffafly]

I had a six hour operation on my spine and the cardiologist I saw pre-op said the op was likely to set my AF off but as my heart was in good shape it was not a problem. He was right on both counts!

[Patient007 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks. Glad to hear you were okay

[Maggimunro]

I can understand your concern. I found having a chat with my surgon plus a more indepth talk with my anaesthetist very helpful. They adjusted my anaesthetic and modified how the op was performed. The result was a far more pleasant outcome with a much smoother recovery.

Best of luck.

[Patient007]

Thanks for that. Its only an op that takes about 50 minutes to an hour but would be a bit too uncomfortable to do under a local. They can do it under a local but Surgeon said be better to have a general.